Premier League: Hull City v Newcastle United match preview

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

Steve Bruce gestures from the touchline (GETTY IMAGES)

Steve Bruce’s side will be looking for a third consecutive victory, following wins in the league against strugglers Cardiff and a FA Cup triumph against Brighton & Hove Albion. Their opponents Newcastle have lost three out of their four fixtures in February and will be looking for a second successive win in the Premier League, something the club hasn’t managed since December.

After gaining automatic promotion to the Premier League by finishing second in the Championship last season, Steve Bruce and his Hull City side have fared well in the Premier League this year. The point gap in the middle of the table is tight and 11th placed Hull find themselves one point behind West Ham United and a three point gap is keeping four teams (Swansea, Aston Villa, Norwich City, Stoke City) just under the The Tigers in the league table.

The Tigers have invested in the January transfer market and the double purchase of Shane Long and Nikica Jelavic has yielded a combination of five goals in the league with Jelavic joining the club’s joint top scoring list with three. The Tiger’s haven’t won three matches in succession since the end of September 2013 and the momentum will be with the home side who have scored six and conceded just once in their last two competitive matches.

Newcastle United are currently experiencing a major dip in form since the beginning of the season. The Magpies have lost seven of their last ten competitive games since the end of Decemeber 2013. A date coinciding with the departure of their French international Yohan Cabaye.

Since the Frenchman’s departure the Tyneside club has failed to find the net and have managed to score only five goals in their last nine Premier League games. In his 17 league appearances prior to his PSG switch, Cabaye chipped in with seven goals and two assists. The inability to find a replacement in the winter transfer window has hit Newcastle hard and the results have been a clear example.

The return of on-loan striker Loic Remy did prove useful to Alan Pardew as the striker’s solitary goal earned The Magpies three points against Aston Villa in the league at St. James Park.

Having been beaten by The Tigers at St. James Park, the Newcastle players will have to put in extra shifts on the pitch to avoid defeat. January loan signing Luuk De Jong is yet to score for Newcastle in his four league appearances so far and Yohan Gouffran, second behind Remy (and the departed Cabaye) in the league goal scoring charts for Newcastle United has not scored since a 5-1 victory against Stoke City in December 2013. Hull City meanwhile will be looking for a third successive win. The last time Hull City managed three wins on the trot this season, their first win came against a Newcastle side with Yohan Cabaye, back in September 2013.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 3.00pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS:

Newcastle 2 (Remy 2) Hull 3 (Brady, Elmohamady, Aluko), Premier League, September 2013

Hull 1 (Geovanni) Newcastle 1 (S. Taylor), Premier League, March 2009

Newcastle 0 Hull 1 (Cousin), FA Cup, January 2009

STATS:

Newcastle United have lost seven out of their last ten competitive fixtures.

Hull City have the best goal difference (-2) in the bottom half of the table.

Newcastle United have scored in only three Premier League matches since the New Year.

Hull City have failed to win in their last three home games in the Premier League.

ODDS:

Hull to win: 2.4

Newcastle to win: 3.0

Draw: 3.2

TV: Highlights: Saturday, 10.30pm on BBC 1