Time for Tigers to show their credentials
Buoyed by the news that Keane Lewis-potter has agreed a new contract, Hull City enter arguably the biggest week of their League One season to date. Over the next week, City face promotion rivals Accrington Stanley twice with a trip to the south coast to face third-placed Portsmouth sandwiched in between.
Positive results against Accy and Pompey would see the Tigers cement their spot inside the top two, but more importantly, keep distance between themselves and two of their closest adversaries in the race for promotion to the Championship.
Setting the scene…
For the first time this season, City face Accrington Stanley in a game originally scheduled for the end of October, only to fall victim to coronavirus following an outbreak at the Lancashire outfit.
The visit of Accy to the KCOM Stadium marks the beginning of a huge week in the context of the Tigers’ season.
Following tonight’s game, City then travel to face third-placed Portsmouth at the weekend before facing Stanley at the Wham Stadium on Tuesday week.
Stanley are once again enjoying a fine season in League One despite having one of the smallest budgets in the division, a mark of the terrific work done by manager John Coleman, his staff and players under the stewardship of owner Andy Holt.
Prior to Saturday’s somewhat surprising defeat at home to Gillingham, Stanley were one of the form teams impressing many in front of the television cameras with a dominant win over Charlton at The Valley earlier this month.
Despite that reverse, the Lancashire club have three games in hand on leaders Lincoln which could see them go level on points with the Imps with nine points - and above City.
City’s form so far in 2021 has been steady and was just nine minutes from being described as very good.
Wins over Charlton coupled with a battling point at Sunderland was followed up by the terrific win against Fleetwood in the Papa John’s Trophy before being held at the weekend.
Reece Burke’s 77th minute sending off against Blackpool was followed by Jerry Yates’ equaliser four minutes later to earn a 1-1 draw at the KCOM Stadium, in what proved to be another frustrating tale of missed chances.
Coleman’s side relish the big occasions, against the so-called bigger names and this will be no different, they’ll surely revel in the plush surroundings of the KCOM Stadium, so Grant Mccann’s side will have to deliver one of the better performances of the season to come away with what would be a terrific three points – whilst setting them up for the next two games nicely. The Tigers will have to be at their very best to keep Accrington out, but if promotion is to happen, these are the games they have to find a way to win by showing a clinical, professional edge at both ends.
Prediction: Hull City 1 Stanley 0
Hull City team news…
Burke will miss the game following his red card on Saturday, while the squad have been boosted by the news that Lewis-potter has agreed a new contract at the club, so he could be in line to start his first game since November.
Burke’s place in the back four is likely to be handed to Alfie Jones, with the versatile 23-year-old unfortunate to find himself on the bench against Blackpool after two excellent displays.
Callum Jones has been back in training following his injury lay-off, while the game will likely come too soon for new signing Jordan Flores, though Dan Crowley is expected to be involved from the bench.
Accrington team news…
Accy hope to have Matt Butcher available despite coming off on Saturday with a broken nose, though elsewhere there have been no fresh injury worries.
“It was a bad injury, it’s probably just stopped bleeding now but we are hoping Matt will be available for tonight,” Coleman said of Butcher’s injury.
Stanley overview…
Saturday’s defeat at home to Gillingham came as something of a surprise to John Coleman, who admitted the result had hit him hard.
Just two defeats in 12 has Stanley once again punching above their weight in the third tier, and a trip to the KCOM Stadium is one Coleman and his players will be relishing.
“I am still disappointed with Saturday but we have got to move on, we can’t dwell on it,” said the Reds boss.
“You don’t get too carried away with the wins and you certainly don’t get too carried away with defeats.”
The key battle: Josh Emmanuel vs Joe Pritchard
City’s right-back has been one of the most polished performers of City’s campaign so far, and on the right side of the KCOM pitch, he’ll come up against Joe Pritchard. The 24-year-old ex-spurs youngster has scored six times in an impressive campaign to date, form which is undoubtedly attracting admiring looks from potential suitors.
Two of the division’s best will battle it out in what will be a fascinating encounter.
Fancy a flutter…
Unsurprisingly, the odds are fairly close for this promotion battle. A City win is priced at 17/20 with an away success available at 3/1 with the draw 12/5.