Low Scoring Albion Unlikely Favourites Against Hull

West Bromwich Albion are set to host Hull City in the Capital One Cup tonight (24th September, 8:00), looking to record two victories on the bounce in all competitions after a 1-0 away win at White Hart Lane saw Alan Irvine`s side escape the Premier League relegation zone after a brief dalliance. Hull`s early exit from the Europa League meant that they received a bye into the third round, though are looking to earn their first win since beating KSC Lokeren 2-1 at the KC Stadium on 24th August. The Tigers lost the tie on away goals after the aggregate score totted up to 2-2.

The Baggies progressed to the third stage of the Capital One Cup with a penalties win over League 2 side Oxford United. Johnny Mullins` own-goal put West Brom ahead before Danny Hylton levelled with four minutes remaining. Goalkeeper Boaz Myhill was the hero of the round for the West Midlands team as his spot-kick saves against Michael Collins, Tom Newey and Jake Wright proved crucial after both James Morrison and Brown Ideye failed to convert their efforts.

This tenacity and their unexpected win over Tottenham last Saturday sees Irvine`s men the 6/5 (Coral, ladbrokes, paddy Power) favourites to find themselves in the draw for the fourth round. The majority of bookmakers are offering 12/5 on the match ending a draw after 90 minutes of normal time, whilst bet365 have Steve Bruce`s City down as 3/1 chances to return to the North East with a pass to the next stage.

Albion may look to a whole new front line in order to try and record their first 2014-15 normal time home victory in all competitions. Summer signing Sebastian Blanco may make his full debut since his transfer away from Ukrainian club Metalist Kharkiv. The two-time Argentina international scored 14 times in 97 games for his former club, though refused to return due to the civil unrest in the country. Both betfred and Totesport consider the attacking midfielder a 4/1 chance to slot one in the City goal at any time.

Irvine will be hoping that Blanco can form an instant on-field bond with veteran striker Georgios Samaras. The Greek international, who scored in his country`s 2014 World Cup group stage 2-1 victory over the Ivory Coast, joined the Black Country team following his release from Scottish champions Celtic. Samaras made his Baggies debut in their 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Irvine`s former club Everton. The 29-year-old can be backed at 45/17 (888sport) to find the back of the net tonight.

Steve Bruce is set to rotate his squad after his side were pegged back away to under pressure Newcastle United, the match finishing 2-2. Mohamed Diame, who put the Tigers 2-1 up in that match as well as grabbing an important goal in another 2-2 draw against his former team West Ham United, is cup-tied along with Southampton loanee Gaston Ramirez, both players having played in the competition for their previous clubs.

New boy Hatem Ben Arfa, however, is anticipated to start after joining on loan from Newcastle. Should he feature, it will be the Frenchman`s first appearance since coming on with ten minutes to go in Hull`s draw against the Hammers. He`s 9/2 (32red, 888sport, bet365, unibet) to score at any time and make an instant impression on the North East side.

Facing an Albion squad who have scored just three goals in five Premier league games, Hull will be confident that they can stave off tonight`s favourites. Bruce`s men are a tasty looking 11/2 (bet365, betfred, Betvictor, Coral) to win without conceding.

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24/09/2014     © Frixo 2026