Preview: Hull City vs. West Bromwich Albion

Two sides in desperate need of a win meet in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon as Hull City host West Bromwich Albion at the KC Stadium.

Pressure is growing on Baggies boss Alan Irvine following a fourth straight defeat in midweek, which left them just one point above the relegation zone.

Albion took the lead against West Ham United, only to surrender it prior to half time as they lost at The Hawthorns for the fourth time this season.

They have only won four home matches out of the last 23, but one of those did come against Hull in the Capital One Cup earlier this campaign as Saido Berahino scored the winner in a 3-2 third-round victory.

An early domestic cup exit and elimination at the Europa League playoff stage have left the Tigers concentrating on the Premier League, but they sit one place and one point below West Brom in the table.

Steve Bruce's side ended their own four-match losing streak with a 1-1 draw at Everton on Wednesday - a result which he hopes will 'stop the rot' and trigger their ascent up the standings.

The hard-fought point at Goodison Park did not come without its casualties, though, with David Meyler and influential midfielder Mohamed Diame, who has four goals this season, both limping off with injuries.

Sone Aluko replaced Diame and equalised within three minutes of his introduction. With Hatem Ben Arfa axed for the trip to Merseyside and Gaston Ramirez suspended, the former Rangers winger could get just a second league start of the season in support of fellow Ibrox alumnus Nikita Jelavic.

Bruce is expected to recall both captain Curtis Davies and Scottish prodigy Andrew Robertson if he reverts back to a 3-5-2 formation which would leave Liam Rosenior and Robbie Brady surplus to requirements.

The Baggies lost an important player of their own to injury in midweek as Chris Brunt hobbled off against the Hammers, although there is hope that James Morrison will have recovered from illness to deputise in midfield.

To accommodate both Stephane Sessgnon and Victor Anichebe in attack, Irvine pushed top scorer Berahino out wide, although it was centre-back Craig Dawson who ended Albion's month-long search for a goal.

Jonas Olsson and Sebastien Pocognoli are defensive absentees, while Claudio Yacob remains suspended. Porto loanee Silvestre Varela made his long-awaited debut on Tuesday and should again be on the bench.

Hull:

Recent form: DLLLLD

Possible starting lineup: Harper; Chester, Dawson, Davies; Elmohamady, Livermore, Huddlestone, Quinn, Robertson; Aluko, Jelavic

West Brom:

Form in Premier League: DWLLLL Form in all competitions: LWLLLL

Possible starting lineup: Foster; Wisdom, Dawson, Lescott, Baird; Dorrans, Morrison, Gardner, Sessegnon; Berahino, Anichebe

Sports Mole says: 2-0