Hull v Portsmouth: team news, predicted XIs, big-match odds, first goalscorer betting and key stats
Pompey head to Hull tonight knowing victory will send them top of the table for the first time in 23 months.
That’s a massive incentive for Kenny Jackett’s side, who would send out a strong message to their promotion rivals if victory could be secured on the home patch of the current league leaders.
Despite Hull suffering two defeats in a row, that task will be far from easy.
Yet some interesting injury new emerging from the KCOM Stadium suggests one of their key players might be out of this evening’s game.
Going into a top-of-the-table clash, an injury to an important player could prove pivotal.
Find out here who could be missing for the Tigers and everything else heading into the game...
Hull team news
Hull will leave it late to make a decision on influential midfielder George Honeyman.
The former Sunderland ace missed Tuesday night’s defeat at the hands of Blackpool with a unnamed ‘niggle’
Boss Grant McCant admitted it’s something the 26-year-old has been struggling with in recent weeks – and will await the result of a scan before deciding whether to utlise a player who has seven assists this season and two goals.
Definitely out for the hosts are Alfie Jones, Callum Jones and Martin Samuelsen.
Predicted line-up
Matt Ingram, Callum Elder, Joshua Emmanuel, Reece Burke, Jacob Greaves, Richard Smallwood, Hakeeb Adelakun, Greg Docherty, George Honeyman, Mallik Wilks, Josh Magennis. Subs: George Long. Lewie Coyle, Sean McLoughlin, Daniel Batty, Regan Slater, Keane Lewis-Potter, Tom Eaves.
Pompey team news
Lee Brown is the only name currently in the Pompey injury list, so manager Kenny Jackett is likely to stick with the same match-day squad that was picked for the midweek game against Fleetwood.
There might be a temptation to freshen things up a bit, with the Blues playing three games in seven days.
However, if Jackett does decide to alter his team, those changes will be minimal, with Michael Jacobs likely to benefit if there is to be a swap around.
John Marquis hasn’t scored in scored in six outings after previously registering nine goals in eight appearances.
Predicted line-up
Craig MacGillivray, Callum Johnson, Jack Whatmough, Sean Raggett, Cam Pring, Ryan Williams, Tom Naylor, Andy Cannon, Ronan Curtis, John Marquis, Marcus Harness.
Subs: Alex Bass, Rasmus Nicolaisen, Haji Mnoga, Ben Close, Michael Jacobs, Ellis Harrison, Jordy Hiwula.
Match-day odds (bet365)
Hull: 29/20
1-0 15/2, 2-0 11/1, 2-1 17/2, 3-0 22/1, 3-1 20/1, 3-2 28/1
Pompey: 9/5
1-0 8/1, 2-0 12/1, 2-1 9/1, 3-0 28/1, 3-1 20/1, 3-2 28/1
Draw: 5/2
0-0 9/1, 1-1 11/2, 2-2 14/1, 3-3 50/1
First goalscorer: John Marquis 4/1, Mallik Wilks 6/1, Tom Eaves 6/1, Josh Magennis 13/2.
Referee
Michael Salisbury
Hull stats
Top scorer: Mallik Wilks (9)
Top assists: George Honeyman (7)
Most appearances: George Honeyman, Matt Ingram and Mallik Wilks (all 20)
Pompey stats
Top scorer: John Marquis (11)
Top assists: Ronan Curtis (7)
Most appearances: John Marquis (24)
Form guide
Hull: P26 W15 D4 L7
Past five games
L 3-2 Blackpool (A) – League One
L 1-0 Shrewsbury (H) – League One
W 3-2 (penalties) Crewe (H) – Papa John’s Trophy
D 1-1 Oxford (A) – League One
W 2-1 Doncaster Rovers (H) – League One
Pompey: P26 W14 D6 L6
Past five games
D 0-0 Fleetwood (H) – League One
W 2-0 Ipswich (A) – League One
W 3-0 Cheltenham (A) – Papa John’s Trophy
W 2-0 Peterborough (H) – League One
L 1-0 Blackpool (A) – League One
Other fixtures (Saturday, 3pm kick-offs unless stated)
Accrington Stanley v Blackpool, AFC Wimbledon v Crewe Alexandra, Burton Albion v Doncaster Rovers, Fleetwood Town v Wigan Athletic, Northampton Town v Lincoln City, Peterborough United v Ipswich Town, Plymouth Argyle v MK Dons, Rochdale v Gillingham (1pm), Swindon Town v Charlton Athletic.
A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron
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