MX23RW : Tuesday, March 19 09:22:09| >> :600:471992:471992:
[monks data]
Hull logo
Championship
Oct 24, 2015 at 3pm UK
 
Birmingham logo

2-0

Meyler (36'), Hernandez (38')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Preview: Hull City vs. Birmingham City

Sports Mole takes a closer look at Saturday's clash between Hull City and Birmingham City as two of the Championship's top four sides meet.

Hull City will play host to Birmingham City in a battle between two of the early candidates for promotion at the KC Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Currently sitting only behind leaders Brighton & Hove Albion, Birmingham are two points and two places better off than Hull after 12 Championship games.


Hull City

David Meyler of Hull City celebrates scoring the opening goal with Andrew Robertson of Hull City during the Capital One Cup third round match between Hull City and Swansea City at KC Stadium on September 22, 2015 in Hull, England.© Getty Images

Steve Bruce will surely be optimistic about what this squad can achieve in the Championship after battling to fourth spot without really showing their best form on a consistent basis so far this season.

Since returning to the second tier after relegation from the Premier League, Hull have had their critics, but their position is certainly proof that there is enough quality in the current side for them to make an immediate return to the top flight of English football.

The defeat to leaders Brighton in the second week of September was the last time the Tigers lost a game, and they head into a difficult challenge on the back of seven matches unbeaten in all competitions.

Most recently, Bruce's side were dominant in a 3-0 triumph over Ipswich Town on Tuesday, and with league matches against MK Dons and Brentford to come after Saturday's test, Hull fans will be hopeful that a promising run can continue for the next few weeks.

Currently boasting the joint best defence in the league alongside Reading and Middlesbrough, Hull's strength is in the shield put up by experienced duo Curtis Davies and Michael Dawson, but with the former currently out of action, the challenge is for the Tigers to retain that defensive resilience.

It is never wise to make Championship predictions at this stage, but with Hull steadily showings signs that they are finding their best, a big win over a side currently placed second would be a real statement of intent.

Recent form: WDDWDW
Recent form (all competitions): DWDWDW


Birmingham City

Gary Rowett of Birmingham City looks on during the pre season friendly match between Nuneaton Town and Birmingham City at the James Parnell Stadium on July 14, 2015© Getty Images

In the 2008-09 campaign, Birmingham won eight of their opening 12 games to sit top of the Championship, and Gary Rowett's side prepare for this weekend's test knowing that they have made the best start to a season since that year.

Relegation from the Premier League has forced changes since then, but Birmingham are quietly going about their business to suggest that one of the most highly-rated young managers in the game may have a squad that is capable of continuing to surprise their rivals.

After immediately improving the club's fortunes when he arrived almost a year ago, the optimism levels in Birmingham have risen quickly, but even the most loyal of supporters may not have expected to be sitting second in the table at this stage.

A promotion challenge was not really spoken about in the build-up to the new campaign, but with four successive wins in the bank, the morale of the squad could not be higher as they bid to take down a side tipped by many as title contenders.

The signs suggest that it could be a battle of defences, with Birmingham conceding just twice in their last seven league matches, and they showed their resilience when Paul Robinson earned them a 1-0 victory over bottom club Bolton Wanderers on Tuesday night.

Rowett will be aware that Birmingham must play better than they did in that win, but this side have proved many of their doubters wrong already and another win may persuade a few more people to pick them as dark horses to stay close to the top of the table.

Recent form: DLWWWW
Recent form (all competitions): LLWWWW


Team News

Hull manager Steve Bruce prior to kick-off against Fulham in the Premier League match on April 26, 2014 © Getty Images

Bruce's possible eagerness to keep faith with the players who led them to a comfortable win over Ipswich in midweek could persuade him to leave Shaun Maloney, Tom Huddlestone and Mohamed Diame on the bench once again.

Alex Bruce will star in place of the injured Davies in the centre of defence, while Jake Livermore should continue his partnership with David Meyler in midfield.

Birmingham boss Rowett is unlikely to be considering major changes as his side aim for a fifth successive win, with Andrew Shinnie expected to keep his spot in the side after starting for just the second time this season in midweek.

Jacques Maghoma and Demarai Gray are both expected to be given the responsibility of continuing to provide support for Clayton Donaldson, who is aiming to end a run of three games without a goal.

Hull possible starting lineup:
McGregor; Odubajo, Dawson, Davies, Robertson, Meyler, Livermore, Elmohamady, Clucas, Akpom, Hernandez

Birmingham possible starting lineup:
Kuszczak; Caddis, Morrison, Robinson, Grounds, Gleeson, Kieftenbeld, Shinnie, Maghoma, Gray, Donaldson


Head To Head

It has been over two years since the two sides last met in a competitive fixture, and Hull fans will have fond memories of Gedo and George Boyd scoring two goals each in an emphatic 5-2 triumph over the Blues.

Hull are unbeaten in the last five games against Birmingham, whose last win against Saturday's opposition came when Gary O'Connor netted the winner in a 1-0 victory in the Premier League in September 2009.


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Hull 2-0 Birmingham

Birmingham deserve plenty of credit for the wins they have recorded in recent weeks and there is certainly enough evidence to suggest that there will not be a dramatic slide down the table in the future. However, Hull are slowly growing in confidence and must surely be considered favourites to keep the pressure on Brighton with victory in front of their supporters.



ID:253663: cacheID:253663:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:11450:No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Jordan Rhodes of Blackburn Rovers celebrates his goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Blackburn Rovers and Burnley at Ewood Park on March 9, 2014
Read Next:
Sports Mole's Championship Team of the Week
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds38257670284282
2Leicester CityLeicester37264774334182
3Ipswich TownIpswich38249580493181
4Southampton36227773472673
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom381991059362366
6Norwich CityNorwich381871369541561
7Hull City371610115346758
8Coventry CityCoventry3715121059431657
9Preston North EndPreston37168134954-556
10Middlesbrough38166165352154
11Cardiff CityCardiff38165174351-853
12Sunderland38146184845348
13Watford381212145351248
14Bristol City38138174245-347
15Swansea CitySwansea381210164858-1046
16Millwall381110173650-1443
17Blackburn RoversBlackburn38119185164-1342
18Plymouth ArgylePlymouth381011175462-841
19Stoke CityStoke38118193553-1841
20Queens Park RangersQPR381010183650-1440
21Birmingham CityBirmingham38109194259-1739
22Huddersfield TownHuddersfield38815154261-1939
23Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds38115223061-3138
24Rotherham UnitedRotherham38311243077-4720

Subscribe to our newsletter


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!