The Tigers will play host to an Arsenal side that will look to get back to winning ways after being held by PSG to a draw during their midweek Champions League clash.
Arsene Wenger and his side get set to face a Hull City team high on confidence after a flying start to the season. The Tigers have started the season off in superb fashion with wins against Leicester, Swansea and Exeter City. They dropped points against Manchester United in the most unluckiest of circumstances and went to Turf Moor and earned a draw. It is safe to say that caretaker manager Mike Phelan has exceeded all expectations with this side and has made them into genuine survival contenders. Arsenal, on the other hand, have gotten of a bad start to the season after a loss against Liverpool and a draw against Leicester. They have shaken that off to earn convincing victories against Southampton and Watford, and a draw against PSG in their midweek Champions League tie.
Tactics
Hull City
Mike Phelan has no new injury concerns with Moses Odubajo, Allan McGregor, Michael Dawson, Alex Bruce, Greg Luer and Brian Lenihan still out on the sidelines with injury. It is unlikely he will want to make any big changes to the squad, given the performances so far over the course of the season.
Ahmad Elmohamady is expected to retain his place at right back with the young Andrew Robertson at leftback. Jake Livermore and the superb Curtis Davies have formed a good understanding in the middle of the park and the duo will be tasked with keeping Olivier Giroud quiet throughout the game.
Ryan Mason, Tom Huddleston and David Meyler will be expected to provide stability and energy in the middle of the park, with priority to screen the defence and break up the Arsenal attack. Reducing Ozil’s influence in the game will be crucial and Phelan will surely instruct more than one player to be marking the German at all times.
Abel Hernandez will start upfront, with Adama Diomande and the superb Robert Snodgrass on the left and right side of the front three.
Predicted Starting XI: Eldin Jakupovic; Andrew Robertson, Curtis Davies, Jake Livermore, Ahmed Elmohamady; David Meyler, Tom Huddlestone, Ryan Mason; Adama Diomande, Abel Hernandez, Robert Snodgrass
Arsenal
Arsene Wenger too will be without a number of key players like Aaron Ramsey, Danny Welbeck, Per Mertesacker and Carl Jenkinson, who are still out with a long term injury. Gabriel and Theo Walcott are both doubtful for the tie. Petr Cech will come back into the side after losing his place to Ospina for their clash against PSG and Lucas Perez will likely feature on the wing in place of Walcott and Chamberlain.
Granit Xhaka and Santi Cazorla are expected to be stationed in the middle of the park, but Mohamed Elneny, who hasn’t started since Arsenal’s opening day loss to Liverpool might feature as well, with Francis Coquelin set to miss out on a starting spot.
Wenger has options to chose from for his attack, with Iwobi and Oxlade-Chamberlain both available. But new signing Lucas Perez may feature on the wing, with Mesut Ozil the obvious choice for the central attacking role. Giroud’s performance against PSG would have likely been enough to convince Wenger to give him a place in the starting XI, but he too has a toe problem which might give Wenger a selection headache.
Predicted Starting XI: Petr Cech; Nacho Monreal, Laurent Koscielny, Shkodran Mustafi, Hector Bellerin; Granit Xhaka, Santi Cazorla; Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil, Lucas Perez; Olivier Giroud
Key Statistics
- Should Arsenal win, it will be the first time they win 3 Premier League games on the trot since December 2015.
- Arsenal haven’t lost against newly-promoted teams in 25 games.
- Hull City are the first team to play with the same lineup for four consecutive games since Newcastle United in 2010.
- Hull City have only managed to win 1 point in 7 Premier League ties against Arsenal.
- Going into this gameweek, Hull City have had a combined total of 78 attempts on their goal by opponents, the highest in the Premier League.
- Alexis Sanchez has scored 4 goals in 4 games against Hull City.
Players To Watch
Hull City: Robert Snodgrass
The 29-year-old midfielder has been one of Hull City’s most reliable players and arguably their best player so far this season alongside Curtis Davies. He’s scored 2 goals this season and has been in superb form in midfield for Mike Phelan. The Scottish international was sorely missed for a major part of the game against Manchester United, which they ultimately lost to a last minute Marcus Rashford winner. His importance was emphasized after his goal in Hull City’s draw against Turf Moor last week with a stunning 95th minute free-kick. It is clear that he is vital to Mike Phelan’s side and they will need him at his very best if they are to cause an upset against Arsenal.
Arsenal: Alexis Sanchez
The Chilean has been finding his stride after what has been a slow start to the season by his lofty standards, and he will certainly take the opportunity to get his second goal of the Premier League campaign against the Tigers. He’s scored 4 goals in 4 games against the newly promoted side and will look to continue that fine record after netting the vital equaliser against Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League tie.
Betting Tips
Both the teams have had an exactly opposite run of matches up until now. While Hull managed two wins in their first two matches and then slipped to gain just a single point in the next two, Arsenal managed the exact opposite, grabbing just 1 point in the first two match but winning the last two matches.
And the reversal in form may just show in this game and Arsenal might just run away with the W in this match. One could also make a case for the cards in the match as could be done in almost every other game where the cards market is at 3.5 cards.
Favourable Bets :
1. Over 3.5 Cards @ 1.83
2. Arsenal team goals Over 1.5 @ 1.66
Underdog Bets :
1. Correct Scoreline 0-2 : 7.50
2. Correct Scoreline 1-2 : 9.00
Prediction
Hull City 1-2 Arsenal
Mike Phelan’s Tigers have been on a superb run of form this season and have lost only once in their opening 5 fixtures in all competitions. But despite being ridden with injuries, Arsenal just have too much quality within their ranks to not come off victorious and anything other than 3 points will be seen as a failure by the fans. However, Hull City will be full of confidence going into this clash given their recent string of results and will be able to thrive as the underdogs. The Gunners will look to be the first away side to win 6 consecutive games at the KC stadium but Curtis Davies & co won’t go down without a fight.