Hull City were thumped by a rejuvenated Sunderland side last weekend, further adding to their despairs. The Tigers maintain their 18th place in the relegation zone this week too, with their gap over Sunderland reducing to just two points. And their next opponents are another invigorated opponent in West Bromwich Albion.
We have some very interesting pre-match facts about the game. While the Tigers are yet to lose against West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League at the KCOM Stadium, keeping a clean sheet on two occasions, Albion boss Tony Pulis has won against Hull City in his last 3 meetings with 3 different clubs. Here’s how the Tigers could line up for the clash.
Defence
The five-man defence that helped Hull City shut out Southampton and have a say in the match was very surprisingly not used against Sunderland. The decision might have arisen due to Mike Phelan underestimating the Black Cats. It is likely Phelan won’t continue the same reluctant mentality. Hull are expected to bring back the wing deployment against West Bromwich Albion, who have largely been toothless in attack.
Left midfield Samuel Clucas is expected to start wide on the left flank with Ahmed Elmohamady on the farthest right side. Their work rate has been crucial in the intricately defensive formation and the same will be expected of them come Saturday.
Captain Michael Dawson will take his position at the heart of the defence pairing with Harry Maguire and Curtis Davies. A well-guarded defence has earlier prevented the Tigers from conceding more goals.
West Bromwich demolished Burnley 4-0 in the last Premier League game of match week 12 and Hull are very much expected to fall back into their defensive setup to stop them.
Midfield
Jake Livermore hasn’t been good when isolated in the defensive midfield position as opposed to when he started alongside Ryan Mason. His promotion to the defensive midfield position from the centre-back looked very influential against Southampton. The pivotal position of Hull seems more balanced and secure with the duo sitting in front of the back five.
The number 10 position will be taken by Markus Henriksen who will feed the passes up front. Tom Huddlestone is expected to be on the bench.
Attack
The formation concludes with the two strikers up front. And with major injuries to two of his main strikers, Mike Phelan will have to start up with Robert Snodgrass, who is in a sublime form scoring 4 and assisting 1 for Hull till now, and Dieumerci Mbokani. Although Mbokani was ineffective against Sunderland, we expect him to fire with Snodgrass by his side.
