Premier League: Hull City v Fulham match preview

A look ahead to this weekend’s match at the KC Stadium

Jake Livermore of Hull City celebrates scoring (Getty Images)

Following their morale-boosting win over Norwich, Fulham travel to Humberside looking to make further progress through the increasingly congested danger zone in the bottom half of the table. One side who could be sucked into relegation trouble are Hull, who have faltered since their superb win over Liverpool, with no wins in their last five outings.

With the bottom three that began Boxing Day all emerging victorious, Steve Bruce will be acutely aware that his side can ill afford a second home defeat on the bounce. He will be concerned at the way their defensive resolve evaporated against United, as they shipped three goals in 46 minutes, as many as they’d previously conceded all season at the KC.

Goals at the other end have been more of a problem for Hull, with misfiring strikers Yannick Sagbo and Danny Graham managing just three between them all season. Fulham’s leaky defence will be desperate to keep them out as they look to build on a much improved display against Norwich – and they have plenty of incentive to do so. Win and Rene Meulensteen’s rejuvenated side will close to within a point of their stuttering opponents.

KICK OFF: Saturday, 3pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS:

Hull City 2 (Bullard, Fagan) Fulham 0, Premier League, March 2010

Fulham 2 (Zamora, Kamara) Hull City 0, Premier League, October 2009

Fulham 0 Hull City 1 (Manucho), Premier League, March 2009

STATS:

These sides have met 8 times: Hull are narrowly on top with 4 wins to Fulham’s 3. Fulham last won at Hull when they triumphed 0-3 in a Second Division fixture in 1996.

Their victory against Norwich meant that perennial away-day strugglers Fulham have recorded 3 away wins before the turn of the year for the first time since the 2003/04 season.

Hull’s 2-3 defeat to Manchester United was the first time they’ve conceded more than one goal at home this season.

None of Fulham’s 9 away matches this season have ended in draws: they’ve recorded 3 wins and 6 defeats.

ODDS:

Hull City to win: 2.05

Fulham to win: 3.6

Draw: 3.4

TV: Highlights on BBC1 at 10.30pm.