A resurgent Hull City side will look to revive their fortunes on Saturday when they host Championship leaders Leeds United, who are eager to maintain their place.
Former Southampton boss Ruben Selles was appointed earlier in December as a permanent replacement for Tim Walter as Hull City decided to part ways with the latter to have any chance of surviving this season. Selles has so far done a decent job, which has not taken the Tigers out of the bottom three but has certainly given them a competitive chance to do so.
Two wins and a draw in his first six games in charge have seen Selles bring hope to the Hull City fanbase about a revival of sorts. They are only a point behind 21st-placed Portsmouth, although the Pompey have two games in hand over the Tigers.
At the weekend, Selles’s side were undone by a late Alex Gilbert strike at the death to hand Middlesbrough all three points. A draw there would have seen them go level on points with Portsmouth as well as on goal difference, as they will have another chance at the weekend to make amends as they host league leaders Leeds United.
Daniel Farke will have been delighted at his side’s performances over the busy festive schedule, as Leeds United managed consecutive victories over Oxford United, Stoke City, and Derby County. They were undone by Blackburn Rovers on New Year’s Day as the two teams shared the spoils, although Leeds United remained top of the summit, with a three-point advantage over nearest rivals Burnley and Sheffield United.
In fact, the pressure will be on Leeds United when they take on Hull City on Saturday as Burnley will have played their game already, while Sheffield United kick-off at the same time. It is a tight race up top, with only three points separating those two from Leeds United, while Sunderland is also within close range of mounting a challenge for the title.
Leeds United are on a seven-game unbeaten run, which includes five victories, and Farke will aim to extend that with three points in the bag. This is going to be a long season ahead for Leeds in their quest to make a return to the Premier League, as only time will tell whether they maintain their poise or succumb to the pressure when the season ends.
Team News & Tactics
Hull City
Ruben Selles will have to deal with a rather longer injury list ahead of this game against Leeds United. Oscar Zambrano misses out through suspension, while the list of absentees includes the likes of Carl Rushworth, Charlie Hughes, Mohamed Belloumi, Liam Millar, Kasey Palmer, and Ryan Longman.
Selles is expected to recall Xavier Simons back to the lineup, which could see Gustavo Puerta drop down to the bench. He will have Steven Alzate in the other midfield position, with Regan Slater assuming the attacking midfield role.
Alfie Jones and Sean McLoughlin are expected to feature at the heart of the defence, with former Leeds man Cody Drameh and Lewie Coyle assuming those full-back roles. Joao Pedro is likely to lead the line, while Abdulkadir Omur and Mason Burstow feature in the wide attacking areas.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Pandur; Drameh, Jones, McLoughlin, Coyle; Alzate, Simons; Omur, Slater, Burstow; Pedro
Leeds United
Leeds United do not have a long list like Hull City regarding injured players, but they are missing a few at the back. Sam Byram and Jayden Bogle are big doubts for the weekend, while Junior Firpo and Ilia Gruev are out of the equation.
Should none of the preferred right-back options be available, then skipper Ethan Ampadu could take up that role while vacating his midfield berth for Joe Rothwell to take over alongside Ao Tanaka.
Pascal Struijk and Joe Rodon are the central defenders likely to be preferred by Daniel Farke, with Illan Meslier firmly settled between the sticks. Joel Piroe will lead the line for Leeds United, with Brenden Aaronson in the attacking midfield role behind him. On loan Tottenham forward Manor Solomon will add width from the left, while Dan James features on the right-hand side of the attack.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Ampadu, Struijk, Rodon, Wober; Rothwell, Tanaka; James, Aaronson, Solomon; Piroe
Key Stats
- Leeds United have kept a clean sheet in their last four away matches against Hull in all competitions.
- Leeds United are on a seven-game unbeaten run.
- Hull City have lost three of their last five matches in the Championship.
- Hull City have won two games in the first six in charge under Ruben Selles.
Player to Watch
Pascal Struijk
The Leeds United centre-back has been in the news with links to Premier League clubs for this month’s transfer window. However, Daniel Farke will continue to bank on the Dutchman to star in his team and help out in the best possible way for their push towards a return to the Premier League.
Struijk will have to show his best form in the coming weeks as games come in thick and fast, and fitness will have to be monitored as Farke will not want to play without him. Overall, Struijk needs to be consistent with his performances, especially against relegation-threatened sides, where the guard might be a big down.
Prediction
Hull City 0-3 Leeds United
Ruben Selles will have an uphill task on his hands ahead of this mammoth clash with Leeds United, as there will be some worries about his squad integrating completely into his methods. The narrow, late defeat at the hands of Middlesbrough also showcased their inability to score freely, meaning the Tigers could struggle against Farke’s men.
Leeds United are under pressure to maintain their grip on the top spot, and this will be a game that Farke will expect his team to win in a big way. Leeds United are the favourites to collect three points here as they will look to maintain a three point lead at the summit, as they are likely to keep a clean sheet away at Hull City.