City Look to Consolidate

Hull City look to consolidate a position of safety when they travel to take on Ipswich Town tomorrow.

After two succesive home wins and an eleven point gap between themselves and the drop zone, Taylor’s men can go into the game with the recent pressure on them lifted.

Ipswich currently find themselves sitting in 11th place, and with seemingly nothing but pride to play for,it may be a good time to face them.

Second half goals from skipper Nick Barmby and Craig Fagan earned the Tigers a 2-0 victory against Ipswich Town at the KC Stadium when they last met back in December last year and a double over the East Anglians would almost certainly see Championship football remaining at the K.C next season.

Vital Quotes:

Peter Taylor: ‘We’re all looking forward to the game. Ipswich are a well-respected team with a tremendous manager (Joe Royle) who has worked wonders wherever he has been.

‘It will be a hard game and very different to the two we have had recently. It will probably be a bit more open, but we’re away from home, under a bit less pressure and hopefully we can put in a great performance.’

Ipswich Town Team News:

Ipswich boss Joe Royle has injury worries over 18 yr old striker Danny Haynes who has a slight ankle strain and is also recovering from a bout of Flu. Alan Lee and Dean McDonald are the only recognised strikers available tommorrow so Royle may start with one striker up front and Darren Currie playing in the hole behind.

Other injury worries are Jimmy Juan and Scott Barron, so veteran midfielder Jim Magilton could well make possibly his last home start for Ipswich before moving on in the summer. Ian Westlake is also poised to return to the first team squad after missing last weeks game against Crystal Palace.

Ipswich Town from: Supple, Sito, De Vos, Wilnis, Magilton, Westlake, Richards, Garvan, Currie, Fuller, Lee, Price, Clarke, McDonald, Casement, Skard.

Player to watch: Jim Magilton

When the two teams last met at the K.C Stadium, Ipswich’s veteran midfielder looked a likely match winner and on his day he controls the Ipswich Midfield and is the link to the strikers.If we can keep him quiet it will be a major plus for the Tigers.

Hull City Team News:

Alan Rogers and Stuart Elliot are doubts for the Tigers with both players sidelined with illness.

New loan signing Rui Marquess could well start in the Centre of defence alongside Leon Cort with a fit again Andy Dawson replacing Rogers at left back and Damien Delaney pushing forward into midfield alongside Keith Andrews.

If Stuart Elliot cant play then Kevin Ellison could well replace him on the left with Stuart Green taking up the right hand side of midfield. John Parkin and Craig Fagan could well start up front.

City still have long term absentees Stephen McPhee, Danny Coles, Ian Ashbee and Ben Burgess sidelined whilst Nick Barmby is still a few weeks away from a return.

Player to watch: John Parkin

The Beast has done tremendously well since joining the Tigers from Macclesfield, and his ability to hold up the ball and bring other players into the game is a vital part of City’s arsenal.He has looked sharp in front of goal and, if given the right service could well find himself on the score sheet again tommorrow.

Match Facts & Stats

Ipswich have 2 wins, 2 draws and 2 defeats to show from their last 6 games and have an outside chance of making the play offs. City on the other hand are coming off the back off two succesive home wins after previously going 5 games without a win.

The last time the teams met was in December when City won 2-0.

They have met each other 19 times in the past with the Tigers having the edge 7 wins to six with six drawn.

Ref Watch:

Tommorrows referee is R.Olivier

Match Prediction:

It should be an open game with both teams needing the points for various reasons. I would expect Ipswich to come out attacking and if we can hold them off, the game could be set up nicely for a swift Hull Breakaway with the pace of Fagan a likely outlet.

With the pressure off the Tigers, they can play the flowing football to feet we know they are capable of and give the Ipswich midfield the run around.

I expect Hull City to sneak it by the odd goal in three.