MX23RW : Wednesday, February 12 01:35:22| >> :120:62991:62991:
[monks data]
Stoke logo
Premier League
Mar 29, 2014 at 3pm UK
 
Hull logo

1-0

FT(HT: 0-0)

Preview: Stoke City vs. Hull City

Sports Mole previews the Premier League clash between Stoke and Hull at the Britannia Stadium as the two teams look for the final points which will secure their safety.

Stoke City welcome Hull City to the Britannia Stadium this Saturday having all but secured their Premier League status for next season with victory last weekend.

The Potters overcame an early deficit at Aston Villa to win 4-1, with Peter Odemwingie, Peter Crouch, Steven N'Zonzi and Geoff Cameron all on the scoresheet.

The result took them into the top half of the table and sent them 12 points clear of the drop zone.

A run of just one defeat in eight games has propelled Mark Hughes's side clear of relegation trouble, but their next opponents, Hull, probably feel that they need a couple more wins to feel completely safe.

A goal from Shane Long against his former club West Bromwich Albion helped the Tigers to a 2-0 win at the KC Stadium last week, which lifted them eight points clear of the bottom three.

While that is a healthy margin, Steve Bruce will be keen to guarantee survival as soon as possible so that his team can focus on their FA Cup semi-final with Sheffield United on April 13.

Hull are awaiting news on Allan McGregor, who spent the night in hospital after suffering kidney damage in the collision with Mohamed Diame, which saw him sent off in the 2-1 defeat to West Ham United.

Steve Harper will deputise in goal in what could be an otherwise unchanged side from the one that battled valiantly with 10 men at the Boleyn Ground, although Sone Aluko is in contention for a start.

Hughes could also stick with the majority of the XI that performed so well at Villa Park, as the Potters attempt to finish the highest of the Midlands clubs for the first time in the Premier League era.

The one change the Welshman could be forced into making would be at left-back, where Erik Pieters is nursing a knock and is a doubt, meaning that Marc Muniesa or Andy Wilkinson may be recalled.

Charlie Adam and Stephen Ireland are both available after being suspended and ineligible respectively for the win last Saturday, but Jonathan Walters serves the last of a three-game suspension.

Recent form

Stoke: WWDWLW

Hull: LWLWLW

Possible starting lineups

Stoke: Begovic; Cameron, Shawcross, Wilson, Muniesa; N'Zonzi, Whelan, Adam, Arnautovic, Odemwingie; Crouch

Hull: Harper; Rosenior, Chester, Davies, Figueroa, Elmohamady; Huddlestone, Livermore, Meyler; Jelavic, Long

Sports Mole says: 1-1


ID:146708: cacheID:146708:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5867:
Written by
Joe Fish
No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Marko Arnautovic of Stoke City beats Kevin Nolan, James Tomkins and Guy Demel of West Ham United to score their second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and West Ham United at Britannia Stadium on March 15, 2014
Read Next:
Match Analysis: Stoke City 3-1 West Ham
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds32209366194769
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd31206543222164
3Burnley31161323792861
4Sunderland311611447281959
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom311114641281347
6Blackburn RoversBlackburn31136123531445
7Middlesbrough301281049391044
8Coventry CityCoventry32128124240244
9Norwich CityNorwich321110115044643
10Bristol City31101293836242
11Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds31119114448-442
12Watford32126144248-642
13Queens Park RangersQPR321011113541-641
14Millwall301010103027340
15Preston North EndPreston3191393438-440
16Oxford UnitedOxford Utd32911123445-1138
17Swansea CitySwansea31107143342-937
18Portsmouth3289153955-1633
19Stoke CityStoke30711122837-932
20Cardiff CityCardiff31710143453-1931
21Derby CountyDerby3278173342-929
22Hull City3078153140-929
23Luton TownLuton3076173049-1927
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth30510152963-3425


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!