Hull City will travel to Dean Court on Saturday to take on Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth in the eighth game-week of the Premier League. The Tigers had a decent start to their comeback season in the Premier League but that had a big halt in the last few games. They faced Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea on the bounce and lost all three games. They were brushed aside very easily by both Arsenal and Liverpool but against Chelsea, it was more of a tighter affair.
After seven games, Hull City have now collected seven points, sitting lowly at 15th right now. Bournemouth, on the other hand, had an up and down start to their season and are sitting just two places and one point above the Tigers.
On paper, it looks like a potentially close game. Mike Phelan will want his side to bounce back to winning ways against the Cherries but it won’t be an easy task at all. Bournemouth play an attacking and attractive football and Hull must improve defensively in order to keep them silent.
Here is the predicted Hull City lineup vs Bournemouth.
Defence
David Marshall should keep his place under the bar. The Scot has done enough to earn a starting berth ahead of Eldin Jakupovic. We expect David Meyler to continue in the right-back position ahead of Ahmed Elmohamady. Jake Livermore should continue plying his trade in an unnatural centre-back role.
Curtis Davies has been one of the standout defenders in the Premier League this season statistically despite his side struggling to keep away opponents from scoring. The Englishman should keep his place at the heart of the defence. Andrew Robertson should keep his place in the left-back position.
Midfield
Tom Huddlestone’s place in the starting XI is untouchable. The former Spurs midfielder will start as the defensive midfielder protecting the back four. Club record signing Ryan Mason should keep his place in the middle of the park. Markus Henriksen impressed coming off the bench against Liverpool last week and we expect the Norwegian to get a start in the middle of the park.
Attack
Robert Snodgrass has been in impressive form this season and his position in the starting lineup looks certain. The Scottish international will start on the right flank. We expect Adama Diomande to start from the bench with Sam Clucas getting a start on the left flank.
Uruguayan international Abel Hernandez will start up front. The 26-year-old impressed in the first two Premier League games but has failed to do well lately.
