Hull City V Manchester United

Sunday 27^th December – 16:00 GMT

Hull City

League Position: 17th

Recent Form: WDLDL

(Hull City are unbeaten at home in their last six games)

The last time Hull City played the part of host to Manchester United was in the very last fixture of last season. A game which Hull desperately needed to win and United couldn’t care less. United won that day which doesn’t bode at all well for Hull’s chances ahead of this weekend’s clash as The Red Devils are no in desperate need of a win themselves after a pointless weekend. We all know Hull have the weaker squad of the two but can they over roar the current champions by being the hungrier and more determined of the two sides on the day? 

Hull, in our brutal yet honest opinion, aren’t too far off being the worst team in the entire league. They’ve gone from being a dangerous side to face in the early part of last season to pretty much a three point banker. The Tigers have already clashed heads with the remaining three of the so called ‘Big Four’ this season and come away losers on each occasions. However, neither were at The KC stadium and Phil Brown will be hoping that home advantage will close that huge gulf between the two in the class department.  

Hull City were starting to build up a bit of momentum until they were emphatically halted by an inform Aston Villa. Hull have now returned to a familiar win less pattern and are now four games without a win in the league, drawing two and losing two. However, Phil Brown has guided his side to new heights at home of late and his Hull side are unbeaten at The KC in six outings, drawing three and winning three. Their last home defeat came back in mid September so there is. Finally, something to shout about at Hull, especially now they’ve jumped out of the bottom three for the first time in what seems an eternity. 

Their overall form at home hasn’t been too bad (4-3-2), and this unbeaten run they’ve worked so hard for should stand them in good stead against a team which will put their undefeated run to the test. However, Hull were pretty bad in their last home outing, a 0-0 draw with Blackburn, and this has occurred on several occasions this season where Hull simply haven’t bothered to turn up nor shown any endeavour on the pitch. Another lacklustre performance like that would see them wiped off the park so it’s crucial Phil Brown get them fired up for this encounter, although, considering their opponents are Manchester United, that shouldn’t be all that difficult. So you would like to think.

Manchester United

League Position: 2nd

Recent Form: WWLWL

(Manchester United haven’t drawn an away game in the league for 19 games)

Although the United ranks have been severely depleted in recent weeks, mainly in the defence department, the current English champions have been gifted a corking pair of fixtures to tide them over during the Christmas period. Most teams would given an arm and a leg for a game with Hull City. While their next match is a home fixture with Wigan Athletic, a team they thumped 5-0 at The DW earlier on, so perhaps all is not as bad as first thought.

A couple of wins for Man Utd could actually see them head into the new year as leaders, although they would need Chelsea to slip up elsewhere. However, with their own form going astray, United can ill-afford to let their mind slip elsewhere as it’s man the battle stations in the United defence. Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher formed an unerring centre back partnership last Saturday in a game where the United defence was torn to pieces. Even Patrice Evra, the only quality defender in the defence that day, was awful, which just goes to show what a lack of leadership at the back does for you. Thankfully, Nemanja Vidic should return to the defence and it won’t come a moment too soon. 

United’s defence maybe at ’sixes and sevens’ right now but it’s offensive players that have been linked with the club recently. Benfica have apparently turned down a bid for Di Maria, a move which, if completed, would probably spell the end for Portuguese flop, Louis Nani, while Mame Diouf will join United from Molde in Denmark in January. Although it’s always good to boost your numbers, attackers aren’t what United need right now as their defence is crumbling around them.

With the exception of the Wolves game where not only were United playing at home to a dreadful Wolves but also against basically the Wolves reserves, United’s makeshift defence has been found wanting and is now left exposed for all to exploit. Aston Villa didn’t have any problems taking advantage of it at the beginning of the month and Fulham also obliged at the weekend, smashing Man Utd 3-0 at Craven Cottage. Their heaviest defeat since their 4-1 humbling by Liverpool at Old Trafford last season. That emphatic defeat can only hinder what will be a Unite dressing room short of morale and confidence but a win over Hull City, along with a clean sheet, would do everyone the world of good.

At Old Trafford, you would fancy United to plug on and chip in with a few wins regardless of what the defence looks like. On the road, however, is where every team is vulnerable no matter what and United head into this fixture precariously exposed. They are fortunate that it’s Hull they are facing but they must take advantage of this generous fixture first. Away from home this season, United have a record of 5-0-4, which clearly shows that The Mighty Red’s can be beaten away from their hunting ground. A 4-0 hammering of West Ham last month is their only away clean sheet in five outings, though, which will surely put a lot of punters off them this Sunday.

Head-to-Head (Last 10):

Hull City W: 0 Manchester United W: 2 Draw: 0

Manchester United have stormed ahead on the h2h counter with victories home and away over Hull City last season. The Tigers did, however, cause United a lot of problems at Old Trafford but were beaten by the United reserves on the final day of the season at The KC stadium.

Match Verdict: Manchester United to WIN – 1.45 Coral

If Man Utd were facing any one other than Hull City then we probably wouldn’t have gone for an away win. Hell, even if this was Wolves hosting United we probably would have opted for a draw. That’s how pear shaped the United defence is at the present time. However, Hull City are one of the poorest teams in the league and, although United don’t have a solid basis, they do still have a lethal attacking outlet in Wayne Rooney. The former Everton front man has worked tirelessly for United in recent weeks, often being the highlight for Man Utd in recent weeks, and we fancy Wayne Rooney to be in inspired form this weekend. Hull aren’t without hope, only because United’s defence will be understrength once again, but we can’t see them outscoring United as their defence is just as bad.

Match Odds:

Hull City – 8.50 PaddyPower

Draw – 4.50 SkyBet

Manchester United – 1.45 Coral

SoccerBetting Value Tip: Wayne Rooney FGS – 4.50 Bet365