Things are looking far from promising for Stoke City at the moment as the Potters are languishing rock bottom in the Premier League with just one solitary point collected from five games. Further problems could be coming their way on Wednesday when the Potters take on Hull City at the Bet365 Stadium in the third round of the League Cup. Hull City, on the other hand, started life in the Premier League really well but in the last three games, their form has taken a big dip. Mike Phelan will be looking to take an advantage of the lacklustre form of the Potters and bring his die back to winning ways in a bid for a long run in the League Cup.
This could be the game for Stoke City to start their amazing turnaround or the game where Mark Hughes’ future comes under more questions. This all-Premier League encounter will be a highly-anticipated game and here are three key battles those could potentially decide the fate of it.
Abel Hernandez vs Ryan Shawcross
Stoke City have conceded as many as 14 goals in five Premier League games so far. That pretty much sums up their defensive problems. Skipper Ryan Shawcross has been disappointing this season but we expect the Englishman to keep his place at the back against Hull City. Abel Hernandez is a quality striker and can do the damage to Stoke City with his burst of pace and directness. Shawcross’ job will be to keep the Uruguayan silent and this will be a battle that can decide the outcome of the game.
Glenn Whelan Vs Ryan Mason
Hull City’s club record signing Ryan Mason is yet to start his first game for the Tigers after joining the club from Spurs this summer. The English international is a proven Premier League midfielder and brings a lot of industry and dynamism to Hull City midfield. The Englishman will battle Irish midfielder Glenn Whelan for the dominance in the middle of the park. The winner of this battle can potentially win his side the game.
Curtis Davies Vs Peter Crouch
Davies has been the standout defender for not only Hull City but also in the Premier League so far this campaign. The Englishman’s average Whoscored rating this season is 8.11 which is remarkable. Peter Crouch is expected to get a start for the Potters up front after his hat-trick in the last round of the League Cup. The 35-year-old will be looking to cause problems to Hull City defence with his excellent ability in the air but Davies is someone who can ideally nullify the threat posed by the target man. Davies has won as many as 3.2 aerials this season which is nothing in front of Crouch’s 9 won every game but Davies, with his pace and athleticism, can keep Crouch silent.
