EXPERT VIEW Timing might suit just fine
When Grant Mccann spent the final weeks of football’s lockdown predicting where his Hull City side might best be able to pick up points, a midweek trip to Bristol City would not have been high on his list.
The Robins were a genuine playoff contender two weeks ago, just as they had been all season long.
Four straight defeats and the sacking of Lee Johnson, however, has made this fixture far more inviting than it was.
Bristol City have fast become one of the few Championship clubs with nothing left to fight for this season.
The nine-point deficit on the playoffs is as good as insurmountable and pride is all they have left at stake.
The Tigers’ needs are very different and there is undeniably more to like about Mccann’s side at present. The 3-3 draw at Birmingham showed their potency and the 2-1 win over Middlesbrough demonstrated grit. Even the 4-2 loss at West Brom revealed a side fighting with every breath.
City’s problems at the back remain the obvious concern but that might well be balanced out by the Robins’ recent flaws in front of goal.
Mccann’s men have shown enough of late to suggest they will go to Ashton Gate and score. They might also have just enough to record a huge win. be tasked with starting life after Johnson as Bristol City aim to find a much-needed fillip.
Holden, who worked under Johnson for four years, has taken the reins as the Robins search for a new boss and he is expected to freshen up a side that has lost four on the spin.
Niclas Eliasson (Achilles) and Kasey Palmer (quad) are not expected to feature as they nurse nagging injuries, while Pedro
Pereira is also short of match fitness.
Saturday’s 1-0 loss at home to Cardiff rang the bell on Johnson and there will be players eager to prove a point against the Tigers.
Benik Afobe, Jamie Paterson, Jack Hunt and Filip Benkovic all offered alternatives from the bench at the weekend, as do Marley Watkins and Tommy Rowe.
Ashley Williams, the former Swansea and Everton centre- back, remains suspended for his mindless dismissal in the 1-0 loss at Nottingham Forest last week.
Callum Elder is expected to be drafted back into Hull City’s defence after recovering from his head injury suffered last week.
Concussion protocol ruled Elder out of the weekend’s 4-2 loss at West Brom but Mccann has confirmed the Australian will be available to return at Ashton Gate.
The season-ending hamstring injury suffered by Herbie Kane is a blow but Elder can at least allow Leo da Silva Lopes to return into his preferred midfield role. Mccann will consider changes for what is a third game inside a week. Dan Batty, Tom Eaves, James Scott and Keane Lewis-potter all came off the bench in the loss against West Brom and each is eager to prove themselves worthy of an extended run.
Mccann must also decide if Jon Toral is able to start a second game in four days. The injury-prone midfielder played 89 minutes at the Hawthorns.
Hull City’s last two trips to Ashton Gate have seen them troubled by the same opponent.
Famara Diedhiou scored twice in the epic 5-5 draw two years ago and then scored a stoppage-time equaliser last season.
The physical centre forward is always a handful and a Bristol City side that has found goals so hard to come by of late needs Diedhiou to step up against the Tigers.
What City would not do for a clean-sheet here, though.
It’s 17 league and cup games without one now and the four goals leaked at West Brom undermined any hope of coming home with a result.
Jordy de Wijs was at fault for Ahmed Hegazi’s set-piece header on Sunday and needs to up his concentraion levels as the Tigers’ skipper.
Hull City remain the clear outsiders but perhaps not nearly as much as they might have been two weeks ago.
Bristol City’s four straight losses and the sacking of Johnson have lengthened their odds for a win to 23/20, with the Tigers’ trimmed to 23/10. A draw, at 5/2, would certainly not be a bad result for the visitors.
Bristol City’s failings in front of goal ought to encourage Mccann’s side.
The Robins have netted only five goals in their last nine games but the Tigers’ approach at West Brom might make the 2/1 for over 3.5 goals appealing.
Bristol City dominate the first goal markets but there is value to be had among the visitors.
Mallik Wilks at 9/1 catches the eye, as does Toral at 14/1. De Wijs and his set-piece threat also appeals at 33/1.
All odds supplied by Thepools. com
Referee: Gavin Ward (Surrey) Assistants: Daniel Leach and Mark Pottage
Fourth Official: Ollie Yates