Hull City was kicked into the relegation hole by a shocking loss to Sunderland at the KCOM Stadium last week. Marco Silva’s men face an uphill battle now as they play an inconsistent Crystal Palace side next in a must-win game. The Tigers can more or less count themselves relegated if they lose this game as the only other side battling relegation, Swansea City look to be in fine form at home after defeating Everton recently.
Sunday’s game will be a decider for the third side to join relegation after Middlesbrough and Sunderland have all but booked their places. Hull are too familiar with the experience and their new manager would want to avoid that at any cost. And given the Tigers’ recent records with the Eagles, Silva would be optimistic.
Hull haven’t lost to Palace in their last three encounters and they won the reverse fixture 2-0. However, they have the worst away record in the Premier League this season, where they have picked just six points on their travels.
Possible Hull City XI vs Crystal Palace
Defence
Eldin Jakupovic will start under the bar. The Swiss international hasn’t had a season to remember conceding 32 goals in 21 outings. Thanks to Hull’s defence, it could have been much worse.
The defensive flanks will be taken by Andrew Robertson and Ahmed Elmohamady. In a scenario where Hull gets relegated at the end of the season, the Scottish full-back is likely to depart. He has been in huge demand following some stunning displays at a young age and deserves a better chance.
The central defence will feature Harry Maguire and Andrea Ranocchia. Ranocchia has been decent since arriving from Inter on loan and given the huge revamp being planned there, he is likely to make a move permanent if Hull survives. The case is quite opposite with Maguire, who has caught immense interest from top clubs and is most likely leaving the side no matter what happens.
Midfield
Silva opted to start with Alfred N’Diaye and Samuel Clucas last game and it was a disaster. Against a more physical Palace side, we expect the Portuguese manager to opt for Tom Huddlestone alongside Clucas in the midfield.
The flanks are likely to be taken by Kamil Grosicki but the injury to Lazar Markovic might see N’Diaye start in a winger’s role. The wingers have been inconsistent of late compared to the stormy displays they had put early in the year. Silva would expect his side to put up a fight in the last few games.
Attack
Oumar Niasse and Abel Hernandez are likely to continue to take their place in the attack. With Palace’s defence hurt with an injury to Mamadou Sakho, they can surely take their chances.
