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Wolves logo
Championship
Aug 16, 2015 at 12pm UK
 
Hull logo

1-1

Henry (58')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Jelavic (22' pen.)

Preview: Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Hull City

Sports Mole peers ahead to Sunday lunchtime's Championship clash as two of the favourites for promotion, Wolves and Hull, meet at Molineux.

Both Wolverhampton Wanderers and Hull City have had 100% starts to the new season, but one or both will lose that record when the two meet at Molineux on Sunday.

The two are among the favourites for promotion and this weekend's contest offers the chance to land an early blow in the race for a top-six place.


Wolves

Wolves striker Nouha Dicko celebrates after scoring the first Wolves goal during the Capital One Cup First Round match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Newport County at Molineux on August 11, 2015© Getty Images

Kenny Jackett's side missed the playoffs on goal difference last season, but haven't shown any signs of a hangover with back-to-back 2-1 wins to start the season.

On the opening weekend of season they edged out Blackburn Rovers, albeit in controversial circumstances with David Edwards's winner, before recording the same scoreline at home to Newport County in the Capital One Cup first round.

They will fancy themselves in the second round as well having drawn League Two side Barnet for the next stage which takes place the week after next.

Benik Afobe is the bookies' favourite to be top scorer this season and he already has two goals in two games after scoring against both Blackburn and Newport.

The opener at Ewood Park last weekend was his 14th goal of 2015 and only Watford's Odion Ighalo (16) has scored more in the Championship since the turn of the year.

Despite being on the road on matchday one, no Championship team attempted more passes in their opening match than Wolves (493).

Recent form: WW


Hull

Chuba Akpom of Hull City celebrates with his team mate Ahmed El Mohamady after scoring the first goal in extra time during the Capital One Cup First Round match between Accrington Stanley and Hull City at Wham Stadium on August 11, 2015© Getty Images

After relegation from the Premier League, Steve Bruce's side began life back in the Championship with a kind opener at home to one of the favourites for relegation, Huddersfield Town.

Debutants Sam Clucas and Chuba Akpom scored either side of half time in a 2-0 win before Hull sneaked past Accrington Stanley on penalties in the cup after four goals were scored in extra time following a goalless 90 minutes.

The Tigers were also given a home tie for the second round, with Rochdale the side they must next face in the knockout competition.

While Wolves have a former Arsenal striker in Afobe, Hull have a current one with on-loan Akpom, whose crisp goal against Huddersfield was his first at senior professional level and he followed it up with another after coming off the bench at Accrington.

Away results played a big part in the Tigers' relegation last season and they have just one away league win in 2015, losing six of their nine matches on the road.

Recent form: WW


Team News

Chuba Akpom of Hull City in action during the Sky Bet Championship match between Hull City and Huddersfield Town at KC Stadium on August 8, 2015© Getty Images

Bruce has no new injury worries going into the match, so Akpom and Nikica Jelavic are likely to lead the line once again, especially with Abel Hernandez serving the last of a three-game ban.

Akpom came off the bench against Accrington, but will likely return to the starting lineup given his goals in both games so far.

Robert Snodgrass remains an absentee with a knee injury, while Bruce revealed that Mohamed Diame should return to training this weekend after also suffering a knee problem.

Jackett has also confirmed that he has a fully fit squad to choose from, so could go with the same XI that started against Blackburn after he made five changes for the visit of Newport.

David Edwards is one of the players likely to return to the starting lineup after signing a one-year contract extension at Molineux.

Wolves possible starting lineup:
Ikeme; Iorfa, Stearman, Hause, Golbourne; Henry, McDonald, Coady, Edwards; Afobe, Dicko

Hull possible starting lineup:
McGregor; Odubajo, Davies, Dawson, Robertson; Elmohamady, Hayden, Huddlestone, Clucas; Jelavic, Akpom


Head To Head

Hull have won three of their last six league matches against Wolves, losing just one, but that defeat was in their most recent meeting in April 2013 when Kevin Doyle's goal settled matters.

Wolves, meanwhile, have lost only one of their last seven home games in all competitions against Hull.


Video Preview

Hit play below to see what the Sports Mole Sofa had to say about this encounter:



Sports Mole Logo

We say: Wolves 2-2 Hull

Both sides have plenty of attacking talent so it should be an entertaining affair at Molineux. Afobe and Akpom have already shown excellent form and it would be no surprise to see them both on the scoresheet again.



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Steve Bruce manager of Hull City reacts during the Hull City v KSC Lokeren UEFA Europa League Qualifying Play-Off match at the KC Stadium on August 28, 2014
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