Hull City vs Stoke City: Match preview and predicted line-ups

By Martyn Cooke

Mike Phelan’s first official game in charge of Hull City on a permanent basis did not exactly go to plan last weekend as the ‘new’ Tigers boss had a day to forget with his side receiving a 6-1 mauling at the hands of Bournemouth.

In contrast, Stoke City look to have turned the corner following a poor start to the season as Joe Allen’s brace earned The Potters their first win of the campaign.

Both sides come face-to-face each other on Saturday afternoon at the KCOM Stadium in a game that will start to clarify if their contrasting current runs of form are temporary or a sign of things to come.

Recent Form

Hull City go into Saturday’s match having lost all four of their previous Premier League fixtures including a 6-1 mauling at the hands of Bournemouth last weekend in Mike Phelan’s first game in charge since being officially confirmed as manager. The Tigers have won just once in their last seven matches in all competitions, ironically a 2-1 victory over Stoke in the League Cup in September, and have conceded twenty goals during this period.

After losing four of their opening five Premier League fixtures at the start of the campaign Stoke City finally look to have turned a corner after securing their first win of the season against Sunderland last Saturday. The Potters are unbeaten in their last three games, having earned back-to-back draws against West Brom and Manchester United prior to dismantling The Black Cats, with man of the moment Joe Allen currently in fine goal scoring form having found the net on four occasions in his last three appearances.

Team News

Mike Phelan will be desperately hoping that Michael Dawson proves his fitness and can return to the centre of the Hull City defence after the former England international missed last weekend’s defeat on the South coast through injury. The Tigers’ boss will likely ring the changes in his underperforming side but will be hindered by the host of injuries that still plague the club with Andrew Robertson becoming the latest player to be confined to the treatment room after picking up a calf strain. This could leave the door open for seventeen-year-old defender Josh Tymon to make his Premier League debut.

Stoke City have no new injury concerns with Jack Butland, Glen Johnson, Stephen Ireland, and Ibrahim Afellay all long term absentees. Fullback Phil Bardsley is a slight doubt having limped off during The Potters’ previous game against Sunderland but is expected to be start. Mark Hughes in unlikely to make any major changes following the upturn in his sides recent form.

Predicted Starting Line-Ups

Hull City Predicted Starting XI

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Stoke City Predicted Starting XI

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Conclusion

These are two teams in contrasting veins of form with Hull City currently on a heavy losing streak and The Potters appearing to have turned their poor early season form around with five points from their last three games. However, Mark Hughes’ side have only picked up one win in their last nine Premier League away games whilst Mike Phelan will be determined to The Tigers slump in form by utilising a more cautious approach.

Prediction: 1-1 Draw

Featured Image: All Rights Reserved Hull City (Hull City)