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Hull logo
Championship
Aug 19, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
Fulham logo

2-1

Elmohamady (34'), Aluko (86')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Cairney (69')

Preview: Hull City vs. Fulham

Sports Mole previews the Championship match on Wednesday night between Hull City and Fulham at the KC Stadium.

Two of the most expensive squads in the Championship go head to head on Wednesday night as Hull City welcome Fulham to the KC Stadium.

While newly-relegated Hull have started the season well, Fulham are without a league win and reeling after late heartbreak on Saturday.


Hull

Hull boss Steve Bruce is all smiles ahead of his side's encounter with Wolves on August 16, 2015© Getty Images

Both Hull and Wolverhampton Wanderers went into Sunday's game at Molineux with 100% starts to the season and both lost those records as a 1-1 draw was played out.

Hull led at the break thanks to Nikica Jelavic's penalty and might have left with the points had Allan McGregor not made a comical error to gift Wolves their equaliser.

It means that Hull are one of eight clubs on four points after two games, trailing early leaders Brighton & Hove Albion, the only side with two wins out of two, by a couple of points.

They also progressed on penalties against Accrington Stanley in the Capital One Cup first round, but Steve Bruce will want his side to create more chances in the league.

Only three teams created fewer chances in the first two games, while McGregor's blooper means that the Tigers have made more defensive errors than anyone else in the league (four).

Bruce's side beat Huddersfield Town 2-0 in their opening game of the season at home and have kept a clean sheet in three of their last five matches at the KC Stadium.

Recent form: WWD


Fulham

Fulham caretaker manager Kit Symons looks on during the Capital One Cup Third Round match between Fulham and Doncaster Rovers at Craven Cottage on September 23, 2014© Getty Images

But for two late goals, Fulham would, like Hull, be on four points after two games.

Kit Symons's men conceded a late equaliser against Cardiff City on the opening weekend and were then denied anything when league leaders Brighton scored a 94th-minute penalty at Craven Cottage last weekend.

Tom Cairney scored his first goal for his new club with a stunning effort to level the scores at the weekend, but Fulham came away with nothing after Sam Hutchinson's rash challenge on Kazenga LuaLua.

Star striker Ross McCormack is yet to get off the mark having played every minute of the Cottagers' opening three games, including the 1-0 win at Wycombe Wanderers in the League Cup last week.

Strike partner Matt Smith has looked more dangerous and in the first two matchdays has attempted more shots at goal (nine) than any other player in the league.

Recent form: DWL


Team News

Allan McGregor for Hull on August 24, 2014© Getty Images

McGregor's howler is unlikely to cost him his place between the sticks, with Bruce backing his number one to recover from the gaffe.

Bruce will have to choose between Isaac Hayden and David Meyler to partner Tom Huddlestone in midfield, the latter likely to play despite being linked with a move back to the Premier League.

Abel Hernandez is available for selection after serving a three-match ban for punching Manchester United's Phil Jones on the final day of last season, but he is unlikely to play given the form of Jelavic and Chuba Akpom.

Fulham conceded the second-most goals in the league last season and they are yet to keep a clean sheet this term. Symons could therefore make a change at the back, with Dan Burn pushing for a start.

Everton loanee Luke Garbutt remains out, while Scott Parker remains unavailable despite returning to training.

Hull possible starting lineup:
McGregor; Odubajo, Davies, Dawson, Robertson; Elmohamady, Hayden, Huddlestone, Clucas; Jelavic, Akpom

Fulham possible starting lineup:
Bettinelli; Richards, Bodurov, Burn, Voser; Christensen, O'Hara, Cairney, Pringle; McCormack, Smith


Head To Head

The Tigers have won their last three games against Fulham at the KC Stadium, scoring 10 goals in the process. The last encounter was a thumping 6-0 win for Bruce's side in December 2013.

In fact, Fulham have won just one of their last six league matches against Hull, with the most recent meeting - a 2-2 draw - also laden with goals.


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Hull 3-1 Fulham

Both teams have menacing frontlines and there could be goals in this one. Hull have started the stronger so we're siding with them to continue their unbeaten start and extend Fulham's wait for a first league win.



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Written by
Pascal Lemesre
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