Hull v Sheff Utd: Sharp Blades can hurt ailing Tigers

Hull v Sheffield United
Friday 23rd February, 19:45
Live on Sky Sports

Hull embroiled in relegation battle

Hull City boss Nigel Adkins was left to rue "unacceptable" defensive mistakes after seeing his relegation-threatened side beaten 3-1 at Middlesbrough in midweek. The Tigers never appeared capable of avoiding defeat at the Riverside Stadium and are now only outside the bottom three on goal difference.

Evandro's first goal for the club had levelled proceedings four minutes before half-time but parity was short-lived as Adkins' tactical gamble backfired badly against a superior opponent. The Hull boss used a five-man defence for the first time in his reign, leaving his backline appearing alarmingly slack.

The Tigers' midfield was outmuscled too readily whilst the wing-backs struggled to make any inroads down the flanks. City are expected to return to a more familiar 4-4-2 system here with Sebastian Larsson returning from suspension. Meanwhile, Abel Hernandez is back in training.

Sheffield United go "full tilt"

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder ordered his side to "go full tilt" and "fight" in his matchday programme notes ahead of Tuesday night's tussle with QPR and his team certainly heeded the war cry with a full-blooded and committed display during their 2-1 triumph at Bramall Lane.

Richard Stearman and John Lundstram put the Blades into a two-goal lead but United nearly had to settle for a point as Rangers rallied late on. Even though they dominated in terms of territory and possession, there was a sense the hosts were never quite in complete control.

Nevertheless, Wilder heaped praise on his players post-match as the Blades moved to within one point of the top-six following their second successive victory. Striker James Wilson should be fit to return on Friday whilst John Fleck and goalkeeper Simon Moore are both available after suspension.

Tigers are poor value favourites

Having managed only six Championship wins all season, it's a little surprising to see Hullchalked up as 2.68 pre-match favourites here. The Tigers performance data rates them as a mid-table outfit and it's true too that under Nigel Adkins' watch, City have given little away defensively.

However, Tuesday night's horror show was another example of why Hull just can't be trusted. The hosts have W2-D4-L6 in Championship outings since Adkins arrived and across the campaign as a whole, have W1-D4-L4 when entertaining top-half opponents at the KCOM Stadium.

Sheffield United 2.78 trounced the Tigers 4-1 in the reverse encounter and have picked up maximum points in all three of their trips to the bottom-six this term, boasting a W6-D0-L2 when travelling to clubs outside the top-11 in the table.

With Hull recording four consecutive draws on home soil, keeping the stalemate onside is advised with the 1.95 available on Sheffield United off a scratch 0 start in the Asian Handicap market a very appealing play for Friday night's fixture.

Goals could flow on Friday

Since Nigel Adkins pitched up on Humberside, Hull's goals per-game rate has dropped significantly. The Tigers had seen 15 of their opening 20 outings break the Over 2.5 Goals 1.99 barrier although only three of their following 12 Championship matches have featured three goals or more.

Indeed, three of City's past four here have concluded goalless. However, eight of the hosts' 10 tussles at the KCOM Stadium against top-half teams have produced Over 2.5 Goals whilst 10 encounters here have also surpassed the Over 3.5 Goals line.

The hosts have notched in all five of their home losses and with Sheffield United keeping a solitary shutout on their travels since promotion, goals could well be on the cards. Exclude the top-10 and seven of the Blades' nine away days have paid-out for Both Teams To Score 1.78 backers.

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