City can add to points tally
Hull City have lost twice this season, but each defeat came in very different circumstances. The one at Fleetwood has been discussed to death, though the response at Rochdale was impressive, as the Tigers romped to a convincing 3-0 victory.
Saturday’s 2-1 reverse at home to Peterborough was a game between two good sides where either one could have claimed three points, though a draw would have been fair.
Siriki Dembele’s deflected strike 15 minutes from time was harsh on City, though, having said that, they paid the price for missing chances throughout the game.
Punishment for their profligacy had not been a problem prior to the visit of Darren Ferguson’s men, and in this game, lessons can be harsh and painful.
Thankfully, for City, there’s an immediate chance to get back on the horse at a ground they’ve not had the pleasure of visiting since 2003, while not tasting victory in this part of the Avon eight years prior to that.
Two hefty away trips will certainly add mileage to the team coach this week, and take a fair bit out of his squad, but it does present Grant Mccann and his players with a chance to keep their points tally ticking over.
Having lost just twice in eight games shows there is enough about the group of players Mccann has assembled over the summer months, and while some will rightly point out that the quality of opposition in the games they’ve won, have yet to test them too much, that still represents a solid return.
Bristol Rovers are notoriously difficult to overpower on their own turf, and a solid record so far this season backs up that assessment, however, given the way City operate, maybe slightly favours them on the road, there’s little reason not to expect a return to form.
Prediction: Rovers 1-2 City Hull City team news
The Tigers reported a clean bill of health following the weekend’s exploits. Only Lewie Coyle remains the longer-term absentee.
Jordy de Wijs is back fit and available, having recovered from the illness which kept him out of the trip to Rochdale – and Mccann must be tempted to recall the big Dutchman into the heart of his back four.
Richie Smallwood is proving to be an integral part of City’s make-up this season, however, after three games in eight days following his injury, Mccann may be cautious in playing his captain too often in this busy spell, especially with Alfie Jones, Regan Slater and Dan Batty desperate to get action.
Up front, Josh Magennis has endured a hectic spell in recent weeks mixing life in East Yorkshire with life on the international scene with Northern Ireland, and with Tom Eaves knocking on the door, Mccann may well opt to give him a start.
Mccann’s verdict
“Two games and distances, it’s miles away isn’t it? So we have to make sure we prepare properly and recover properly from this game, which is Bristol,” Mccann said.
“They’ve recruited quite well and are a decent team at this level.
“It’s always tough there, but we’ll go and try to respond like we did against Fleetwood.”
Rovers team news
Rovers could again be without midfielder Jayden Mitchell-lawson.
He has not played since a 4-1 defeat to Doncaster on September 26, and Rovers boss Ben Garner gives him an “outside chance” of recovering from a grade one muscle injury in time.
Rovers had a free weekend after their League One trip to Accrington was postponed following several positive coronavirus tests at the Lancashire club.
Garner has no fresh injury worries and former Burnley defender Ali Koiki could be added to the matchday squad after completing his move to Rovers last week.
What the opposition have said
“They’ve got a very good squad, obviously coming down from the Championship last season. They’ve retained a number of those players and they’ve added as well,” boss Garner mused.
“They’ve got a very squad with some talented players and they’ve had a good start to the season.
“I know they lost Saturday, but prior to that they’d had a really good start and been strong in the league.
“I would expect them to do so throughout the season.”
The key battle Jack Baldwin vs Mallik Wilks
Wilks bagged again on Saturday, to make it six in nine this season for City and he’s a player playing with a fair level of confidence, and it has to be said, he also looks like the biggest threat in Mccann’s arsenal.
Experienced campaigner Baldwin will be expected to marshal the Rovers’ back three and protect goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola.
Rovers overview
The Gas enjoyed a free weekend while City were toiling against Peterborough United, owing to Accrington’s positive coronavirus tests.
Prior to that, Garner’s men had secured a 1-0 win at Shrewsbury to see them notch up a third league win, to go with their two draws and two defeats.
In the last four seasons since their promotion from League Two, Rovers have managed a 10th, 13th, 15th and 14th place finishes.
Fancy a flutter?
The Tigers are priced at evens to record victory at the Mem, while a home success for Rovers is 13/5 and the draw priced at 12/5.
A 1-0 win for City is 6/1, while 3-0 and 3-1 is priced at 16/1. A 1-0 success for Rovers is priced at 17/2 according to the Pools.