Premier League Relegation Scrap As Hull Host Sunderland

Fifteenth will play 16th at the KC Stadium tomorrow as Hull host Sunderland in their latest Premier League fixture. The home side will be looking to make amends following their 1-0 defeat away at Stoke at the weekend and will know that Sunderland will supersede them should they lose at home. A victory for the Tigers, however, would see them usurp Everton in 14th prior to the Merseyside club`s game against Stoke on Wednesday.

The Black Cats` inferior goal difference means that they will be unable to replace the Toffees in 14th even if they beat Hull convincingly tomorrow. A jump of one position is the best that Gus Poyet`s visitors can do. Losing could result in one, or all, of Aston Villa, Burnley and QPR closing up the three point gap and dragging the Mackems further into the relegation dogfight.

Hull have met Sunderland just once this season, that being a Premier League match held back in December. Held at the Stadium of Light, the home club took the lead in the first minute thanks to Adam Johnson though Hull equalised just over 10 minutes before half time through Gaston Ramirez. James Chester saw that his side took the lead for the first time six minutes after the restart before a 90th minute goal from Nikica Jelavic put the result beyond doubt. A price of 22/1 at Betvictor and Coral says that Hull can win 3-1 for the second successive time against Sunderland whilst 19/17 (888sport, unibet) says that both sides will score once again. Johnson is available 12/1 with a number of bookmakers to open the scoring for the second time against Hull.

Indeed it is the Tigers who are the slight favourites for the 19:45 clash, william hill offering 6/5 on a home win. Sunderland are available at the best price of 3/1 (Betvictor, Spreadex) to take the victory in this relegation six-pointer whilst a draw is on offer at 23/10 at most turf accountants.

Steve Bruce`s hosts are currently unbeaten in two at home in the Premier League, a 2-0 victory at Aston Villa preceding a 2-1 win over the struggling Queens Park Rangers. On both occasions Jelavic broke the deadlock whilst Dame N`Doye got his name on the scoresheet as the last goalscorer of the match. Jelavic is the 5/1 favourite (Numerous) to grab the first goal of the game once again as N`Doye is available at 5/1 at most establishments to be the last person to hit the back of the net.

Their Villa result was only the third time that Bruce`s side have won without conceding a home goal this season and 23/10 (boylesports, Totesport) says that the club can win to nil tomorrow.

In the Tigers` favour is the fact that Sunderland are without a goal in 360 minutes in all competitions. Poyet`s men are also without a win in their last five games on the road in the top tier of English football. They have picked up only two points from a maximum of 15.

Four of these previous five away games have seen Sunderland be on level terms with their opponents at half-time. These included matches against reigning champions Manchester City (0-0 HT, only to lose 3-2) and top four contenders Manchester United (0-0 HT, to lose 2-0) and Tottenham (1-1 HT, to lose 2-1). The best price on a half time/ full time prediction of draw/ Hull is 9/2 available at both betfred and Totesport. Both betfair and betway have 21/20 on the game being tied at half time.

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02/03/2015     © Frixo 2024