Hull City V Stoke City

Sunday 8^th November – 13:30 GMT

Hull City

League Position: 18^th

Recent League Form: LWLDL

Now, I’m no genius but I think it’s safe to say that Hull City are in serious trouble, both the club and the manager. Phil Brown was rapidly becoming a cult hero at the beginning of last season after a memorable start to life in Hull’s maiden Premiership season, however, since Christmas, Hull have hit one seriously long and unhealthy flat spot and have found not only wins hard to come by but points, as well. The person responsible for this drastic drop in form – Phil Brown, apparently.

Brown has become the manager of the moment as 90% of the footballing country want to see him axed due to Hull’s lack of points income. Since the season kicked into life midway through August, Hull have won just two out of eleven games, drawing two and losing seven, yes, SEVEN! In total, Hull have registered eight points from a possible 33, which is laughable to say the least and you won’t be too surprised to hear that they occupy one of the three relegation spot at present, but that could all change were they to win at home to Stoke City on Saturday.

Asking Hull City to win a game is like wishing for Jordan to magically appear in your bedroom, there’s a small chance either might happen but it’s very unlikely. However, the teams Hull have beaten this season aren’t too dissimilar to their match day opponents this weekend in Stoke City. The Tigers beat Bolton 1-0, while they beat Wigan Athletic 2-1, both came at The KC Stadium, Saturday’s venue. Both Bolton & Wigan boast some strong, muscular players, gotta be careful how that comes across, and so do Stoke, so perhaps Stoke City are the perfect team for Hull to face right now, judging by their only league successes thus far.

If you want to base your judgement on this Hull will fare this weekend then Hull fans, please look away now. However, for all you neutrals still looking, here is a brief summary of how poor Hull City have been since, like, for ages. This season, 7 defeats in 9, a 64% losing average. Last season, 19 defeats in 38, a 50% losing average. However, since the turn of the year, 12 defeats in 18, a 60% losing average. Whichever way look at it, Hull have a losing addiction right now and the statistic don’t pain a very pretty picture for Hull City.

Stoke City

League Position: 9th

Recent League Form: LDWWD

Tony Pulis felt hard done by last weekend but he will feel no pain when he looks at last season results, with Stoke recording a 2-1 victory at The KC Stadium last season, a result which basically guaranteed Stoke their Premiership status with several games to spare. Although another win over Hull at The KC won’t secure them the same fate this time around it would take them a probable 11 points clear of the drop zone, which is a lovely safety net to have for a side that only embraced the Premiership for the very first time last season.

Pulis was left far from happy with some of the referee’s decision last Saturday but it was the manner in which his troops capitulated that will have him raging the most. Stoke started the game like a steam train, racing into a two goal advantage at the break. However, the second half told a different story as Wolves pulled off the comeback of the weekend when they scored two second half goals to level to score and, in the end, take home a well earned share of the spoils in a surprisingly thrilling 2-2 encounter at The Brittania. 

That was the first time Stoke have drawn at home all season but draws have been a familiar outcome for them whenever they pay an opposing side a visit in the league. In five away outings thus far, Stoke have drawn three, won once and lost one. The defeat came at Liverpool, which was no surprise, but their draws came at Birmingham City, Bolton & Everton, teams that have struggled to find the goal recently and they’re up against another side who have find goal scoring a tough trade to get the hang of.

Stoke, especially on the road, are extremely talented in playing in a solid manner. By this we mean they don’t leave too many gaps at the back whilst, on the same token, they don’t really look too dangerous on the attack. However, Tony Pulis knows full well what his sides main attribute is, and that’s their abundance of strength & height. Stoke do generally play on the back foot in away games, with plenty of numbers behind the ball, and then look to seize on any set-pieces that come their way. This could be a very smart tactic against Hull City as 1) Hull look extremely vulnerable at the back and 2) Hull can’t hit a barn door right now.

Head-to-Head:

Stoke City W: 1 Hull City W: 0 Draws: 1

The pair are still settling into Premiership life after spending their first ever season in the Premiership last year. However, it was Stoke City who crept ahead in the Head-to-Head counter when they beat Hull City on their own patch, recording a 2-1 victory at The KC Stadium. The reverse fixture ended in a 1-1 draw at The Brittania but, all in all, Stoke boast a very health record at the home of Hull, winning on three of their previous four visits to The KC. Of course, two of those wins came when they were both competing in The Championship but it does appear that Stoke are becoming somewhat of a ‘Bogey’ team for Phil Brown & Hull.

Match Verdict: Stoke City to WIN – 2.65 Expekt.com

Stoke may have come a cropper last weekend after relinquishing a two goal goal lead at home to Wolves, but we fancy them to go one better this time around and go for the throat of a poor Hull City team. Stoke aren’t the most formidable of away sides in the league but they won’t get many easier opportunities to win on the road then a game with a dire Hull City at The KC Stadium. However, Hull will give it a good go, at least we hope so for an entertaining match at the very least, but we expect it to be in vein as Stoke aim to draw clear of the bottom three.

Match Odds:

Hull City – 2.88 Boylesports

Draw – 3.40 SkyBet

Stoke City – 2.65 Expekt.com

 Update: The result of Hull v Stoke was 2-1 (goals by Olofinjana, Vennegoor of Hesselink; Etherington)