Hull City V West Ham United

Kick-off: Saturday 21st November – 15:00 GMT

Venue: The KC Stadium

Hull City

League Position: 17th

Recent Form: WLDLW

The Hull City chairman was quick to dash speculation that the club will be dipping into their own pockets during January in a desperate attempt to avoid the inevitable drop. That’s bad news for not only Hull fans but also for the current gaffer, Phil Brown. The tan loving Englishman may have a fairly big squad at his disposal but actual quality is at a premium within the club. Brown has used a total of 24 players during the early part of the season, which may not seem an awful lot but considering Hull only recently got themselves established in The Championship, let alone the Premiership, is some going in terms of recruitment. 

The Tigers ended last season in dreadful fashion, win less in 10 and losing seven of those. Many would have thought the summer break would have given both the players and manager, Phil Brown, time to recover from an arduous end to the last campaign and put in another valiant early shift this time around, just like last season, but that hasn’t been the case. Hull have picked up just eleven points thus far, that’s nine points less then they amassed from the same amount of fixtures last season. When you take into consideration that not only did they finish last season in a poor manner but that they also avoided relegation by a single point, then Hull City really are a club in crisis.

Since Christmas of last season, Hull picked up just eight points and were evidentially involved in a relegation scrap. A similarly poor end to the season is more than capable going on their early performances and results so it’s imperative that Hull notch up as many points as possible before the tough winter period. The lack of quality at Phil Brown’s disposal could tell once more as it has done already with Hull falling to seven defeats in their opening 12 fixtures.

Unlike last season, Hull are obtaining the vast majority of their points at home this term, with all three of their wins this season coming at The KC Stadium. Victories over Bolton (1-0), Wigan Athletic (2-1) and recently Stoke City (2-1), has helped keep Hull afloat just above the relegation zone but now Hull are on the verge of recording what would be an extremely rare sighting, back-to-back wins. The last time Hull achieved such a feat was way back in October last year, 50 top flight fixtures ago. In fact, Hull are unbeaten at home in their previous three outings, which is already a new record for them, but as long as they do avoid defeat then Hull will stretch this unbeaten home run to four games, also unheard of.

West Ham United

League Position: 4th

Recent Form: LDDWL

Of all the teams to struggle this season it is the new and improved West Ham United under the fruitful guidance of Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke. The pair made an instant impact when they arrived at the club last season, guiding the Hammers away from the relegation zone and into European contention. However, this season is panning out just like the last with West Ham having no alternative but to acquaint themselves with the bottom three after a dire start to the campaign which has seen them win just two of their opening twelve fixtures.,

The Hammers did show signs of fighting qualities when they went on a three match unbeaten run recently, but that has since been distinguished. Creditable 2-2 draws with first Arsenal at home and then away at Sunderland, before finally ending their nine match streak without a win by beating an inform Aston Villa, 2-1. However, hopes of a revival have died down after Everton paid the Hammers a visit two weeks ago. The Toffees wasted little time going to work on a fragile West Ham as Louis Saha put Everton in front midway through the second half. Dan Gosling, a possible future England prospect, doubled their advantage just after the break, although, Everton weren’t exactly deserving of their two goal cushion as neither had been at all impressive up till that point. However, it was West Ham who put in a late show but it twas to be in vein as the absence of their best striker, Carlton Cole, was apparent.

Carlton Cole was heavily missed in the game with Everton as he has scored three times more than anyone else in the Hammers camp. Cole has six league goals to his name this season but could his make his awaited return from injury to face a rejuvenated Hull City on Saturday. That will be music to the ears of travelling Hammers fans as his sheer presence in the final third should bring about a welcome boost in not only player confidence but attacking vigour. Cole is a strong lad who can hold the ball up, something which his replacement, a young Zavon Hines, failed to do in his short stint in Cole’s shoes.

Head-to-Head:

Hull City W: 1 West Ham United W: 1 Draws: 0

It’s honours even thus far after the pair clashed in the Premiership season for the very first time last season. Both games went with home advantage, with Hull winning 1-0 at The KC, the venue for this game, while West Ham won in a slightly more convincing manner back at Upton Park, winning 2-0.

Neither side could manage an away goal in the meetings last season so it will be down to West Ham on Saturday to end this baron away run.

Match Verdict:- Hull City to WIN – 2.95 Expekt

We cant believe what we’re doing either but Hull City get the nod in this relegation clash. West Ham had recently put together a decent run of three game unbeaten but one or two of those games consisted of a bit of good fortune and West Ham were very lucky to get something out of both the Arsenal & Fulham games. Hull, however, have put together a decent run of form themselves, especially at The KC, unbeaten in three home outings, including two wins over Stoke City & Wigan Athletic, both by a 2-1 scoreline. These are the types of game which will make or break a side like Hull and if they are to avoid what we think is the inevitable drop this season, then they will need to beat the teams suffering lulls in form.

Match Odds:

Hull City – 2.95 Expekt

Draw – 3.40 SkyBet

West Ham United – 2.60 BetFred

SoccerBetting Value Tip: Hull City to WIN to NIL – 5.00 totesport

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Full-Time: Hull City 3-3 West Ham United

Goalscorer(s): Carlton Cole O.G, Kamil Zayette, Jimmy Bullard (Hull City), Guillermo Franco, Jack Collison, Manuel Da Costa (West Ham United)