Hull’s fairytale return to the Premier League has got off to a great start, but they’ll hope the international break hasn’t slowed their momentum ahead of the visit of unbeaten Everton.
Match News and Current Form
Hull paid the price for an early collapse as they conceded twice in the opening ten minutes on their way to a 2-1 loss at Newcastle which was their first defeat of the league campaign (W2, D2). The Tigers are now winless in their last three in the league (D2, L1), which is more in keeping with what was expected of them in their first top-flight campaign in a decade. Their strength has been most evident at home, and they are incredibly the only Premier League side yet to concede a goal on their own turf this term, affording them a shot at becoming only the third newly-promoted side to keep a clean sheet in each of their first three home games of a Premier League campaign - the two prior sides went on to survive.
Everton are one of five sides who start this round unbeaten in the Premier League (W2, D3), with belief building on Merseyside that European qualification is a realistic ambition. This matchday could give an early indication on whether that’s likely or not, as only twice before have the Toffees gone unbeaten in their first six games of a Premier League campaign, and both ended in a top-six finish. An away game could prove to be ill-timed as Everton are winless in their last seven away league outings (D4, L3), while they’ve also won only two of their last 15 top-flight road trips against promoted sides (D8, L5).
Head-to-Head History
Hull have only won two of the ten prior Premier League H2Hs (D3, L5), but their home record therein reads much more positively (W2, D2, L1).
Hot Stats and Streaks
Hull have been shown a pre-round league high 18 yellow cards this season.
None of Hull’s last nine home matches produced more than ten corners.
Everton have kept five clean sheets in their last seven games.
Everton have committed a league-low 40 fouls this term.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Mohamed-Ali Cho will hope his goal against Newcastle earns him a start here, but he may be better staying off the scoresheet having lost on four of his last five scoring appearances (W1). Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has attempted a team-high 15 Premier League shots this season, but the only one of them to end in a goal served as his sole first-half strike across his last seven at club level.
Hull hope to have Charlie Hughes available for selection soon, but remain without a raft of first-team players. Everton’s Vitalii Mykolenko picked up a knock on international duty and could miss out.
For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.
Betting Analysis
Everton’s away struggles coupled with Hull’s solid home form hint that a bet on Hull/Draw in the double chance market is priced nicely.
Author: Chris Wilson