Hull City play host to Stoke City on Sunday afternoon looking for the victory which may take them further clear of the Championship relegation zone.
While the Tigers head into the weekend sitting in 19th position, Stoke are in eighth place after suffering four defeats in six games.
Match preview
© Reuters
In recent weeks, Hull supporters have been as interested in the club's results in the Championship and the FA Cup as they have on the prospect of a takeover.
The latter is expected to be confirmed in a matter of days, likely giving Grant McCann the freedom to show ambition in the transfer market before the end of the month.
Nevertheless, the Tigers cannot lose sight of the fact that they are four games without success in the league, a run which has kept Peterborough United within touching distance while they still possess a game in hand.
Hull's performances have been far more encouraging than their results, but McCann knows that points are all that matters at this stage of the season as he bids to showcase a bright future to any potential additions.
However, that is something that felt obvious as Hull pushed Everton all the way in the FA Cup third round last weekend, McCann's side deservedly taking the Toffees to extra time before they ran out of steam.
© Reuters
For all of the time spent in the top 10 in the standings this season, Stoke have lost all momentum in the second tier with seven defeats being posted in 13 games.
Michael O'Neill, who misses this game through testing positive for coronavirus, will feel that his side are fortunate to still be sitting in eighth spot with games in hand.
However, with the gap to the playoffs now standing at five points, the Potters can ill-afford any more slip-ups on the back of successive home defeats to Derby County and Preston North End.
On a positive note, Stoke got back to winning ways with victory over Leyton Orient in the FA Cup, Tom Ince and Tyrese Campbell netting the goals at the end of each half.
- W
- W
- D
- D
- L
- L
- W
- D
- D
- L
- L
- L
- L
- L
- W
- D
- L
- L
- L
- W
- D
- L
- L
- W
Team News
© Reuters
Hull may only make one change to the team which performed well against Everton last week.
Ryan Longman could return at right wing-back, taking the place of Randell Williams, but Tom Huddlestone may have to make do with a spot on the substitutes' bench.
Stoke will hand recalls to many of the players who were rested against Leyton Orient, including Adam Davies, Tommy Smith and Danny Batth.
Josh Tymon and Campbell, who were introduced as replacements during that game, should also come back into the first XI, with Tymon potentially deputising for the doubtful Mario Vrancic in midfield.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who has signed on loan from Manchester City, is in contention for an immediate debut.
Hull City possible starting lineup:
Baxter; Bernard, Greaves, McLoughlin; Longman, Docherty, Smallwood, Lewis-Potter; Honeyman; Smith, Eaves
Stoke City possible starting lineup:
Davies; Wilmot, Batth, Chester; Smith, Clucas, Allen, Tymon, Ince; Brown, Campbell
We say: Hull City 1-1 Stoke City
While both clubs have failed to get many wins on the board of late, they will both feel confident of coming away from this contest with maximum points. Nevertheless, we are predicting a competitive draw on Humberside, a result which would suit the home side far more than the visitors.
Top tip
Darren Plant
Data Analysis
Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Stoke City win with a probability of 39.68%. A win for Hull City had a probability of 32.7% and a draw had a probability of 27.6%.
The most likely scoreline for a Stoke City win was 0-1 with a probability of 11.59%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 1-2 (8.26%) and 0-2 (7.35%). The likeliest Hull City win was 1-0 (10.27%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (13.03%). The actual scoreline of 0-2 was predicted with a 7.3% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted that Stoke City would win this match.
