Hull City will host Leeds United at KCOM stadium in a league clash where the Tigers will once again look to come off with something against another probable Premier League contenders. Leeds United have dropped points off late and manager Marcelo Bielsa has admitted that one win in last five games worries him. It is no coincidence that Leeds’ lousy run of form is coming when they have missed certain critical players due to injury.
Nigel Adkins’ men would be going in with some confidence for this game as they took a point off Middlesbrough last and looked the better side for the good parts of the match. The league standing might suggest an easy outing for the Whites, but it would be far from that.
Team News
Leeds United
Kemar Roofe was expected to be back by this time, but that doesn’t seem to be the case now. Along with him, Gaetano Berardi, Patrick Bamford, Conor Shaughnessy and Pablo Hernandez are all notable absentees. Among the lot, Patrick Bamford’s injury is a more serious one, and he is expected to be back by the turn of the new year.
Hull City
The Tigers would miss Jordy de Wijs services at the back as he suffered an ankle injury recently. Midfielder Dan Batty has been out for a while now but is back in contention to be on the bench at least for this game. Attacking midfielder Evandro Goebel is a doubt due to a hamstring issue. Angus MacDonald, Ondrej Mazuch and James Weir are all long-term absentees.
Predicted Lineups
Leeds United
Peacock Farrell; Ayling, Cooper, Jansson, Douglas; Phillips, Klich, Saiz, Harrison, Alioski, Roberts
Hull City
Marshall; Lichaj, Burke, Elphick, Kingsley; Irvine, Henriksen, Grosicki, Kane; Bowen, Campbell
Key Men
Leeds United
Samuel Saiz has impressed everyone with his commitment and direct running, and he would look to continue the same against City. A lot of United’s attacking outlet comes from their fullbacks who always push forward. Expect Barry Douglas and Luke Ayling to keep the City defenders occupied.
Hull City
Jarrod Bowen has scored three of Hull City’s last four goals, and he would be the crucial man in the attacking third if the Tigers want to come away with something. City have kept just one clean sheet in their last 14 games, and the manager would be in need of a big performance from his centrebacks Eric Lichaj and Reece Burke.
Odds
Leeds United Win: 2.10
Hull City Win: 3.26
Draw: 3.60
Prediction
Even though the Whites are missing some key men and have dropped points off late, they should have enough firepower to see off Hull City who have struggled to score goals freely or keep clean sheets. We predict a 2-0 win for Bielsa and his boys.
