Hull City host league-leaders Leicester City on Saturday with both teams having the same ambition of promotion to the Premier League with ten games to go.
Of the two, Leicester are in the far stronger position, and Enzo Maresca’s side are the current league leaders. That being said they’ve picked up just two wins from their last five games, and have almost been caught by Ipswich Town and Leeds United as a result.
With a three point gap to Ipswich in second, they are still the overwhelming favourites for the title, however cracks have appeared in recent weeks. After losing three on the bounce to Middlesbrough, Leeds and QPR, the foxes would bounce back with a midweek victory over Sunderland. Their opponents had however lost four in a row prior to that and the strength of the 1-0 victory can be questioned.
Hull are therefore potentially playing them at the right time, though they themselves haven’t exactly been in top order. Although they are unbeaten in their last six matches, they’ve drawn each of their last three and seem to be clinging on to the final play-off spot currently. With a two point gap to Norwich City in seventh and a further point to Coventry City in eighth, they could well be dislodged from their perch on Saturday.
Any sort of points would come as a huge bonus to mathematically the best team in the league, and a win would certainly boost their play-off credentials.
With that in mind, here’s how two of The Real EFL writing team see the game panning out…
“Leicester’s recent wobble makes this game a whole lot more interesting and Hull are certainly playing them at a good time. The Tigers will take some confidence from just that, however they haven’t exactly been firing on all cylinders themselves.
Nonetheless they still sit in sixth and their chances of making the play-offs are in their control. It’s probably not a game they expect much from and even a draw could be perceived as a good result.
I can actually see this being a draw, mainly down to Hull’s strong defence. In their past nine Championship games, they’ve conceded just six times and they might be able to nullify the strong Leicester attack. A draw wouldn’t be ideal for the league leaders, and they’ll want all three points here. That is easier said than done though.”
Hull City 1-1 Leicester City
“This is a major game for both side’s hopes of being in the Premier League next season, albeit one with ambitions of a playoff spot, whilst one has hopes of winning the title. Leicester got back to winning ways in midweek, however, it was only a 1-0 victory and some Sunderland fans will feel they were hard done by not to receive a penalty late on. They will need to get back-to-back wins at this stage if they truly wish to win the title. The recent wobble has resulted in the battle for top spot now being a four way fight, so nothing is guaranteed.
For Hull, they’ll be hoping that they can pick up a surprise result here, after the disappointment of only earning a draw against Birmingham on Tuesday night. Typically, a side would be pleased to have this match at home, however, Hull’s home record has been mid-table at best, whereas their opposition this weekend have the best away record in the league. Therefore, it is them who I am backing to win this one.”
Hull City 0-2 Leicester City
