Tigers face Cardiff

The Tiger’s will entertain high flyers Cardiff City at the KC Stadium tomorrow. With the Tigers still looking for a first win in six, will they be able to overcome the tricky opposition of a play-off chasing side. Hull need the points to carry on moving away from the relegation zone, where as Cardiff City will be looking to cement their play-off aspirations.

Vital Quotes:

Peter Taylor on the visit of Cardiff:

‘We know they had a good result on Monday, they have some good strikers and they have an outstanding player in Jason Koumas. They have good experience and players that have played at a higher level.’

‘We know it is going to be a tough match but I am concentrating more on us to make sure we start correctly and positively.’

Hull City Team News:

The injuries are finally starting to clear up !! Andy Dawson, Jason Price and Keith Andrews all had a good week in training and are all set to be in contention to at least be part of the squad that will face Cardiff. Despite Alton Thelwell being back in training, it looks like he hasn’t done enought o force his way into contention for a recall to the squad.

However, the Tigers will be without star keeper Boaz Myhill. Having been harshly sent off in the last outing away at QPR, the red card appeal was turned down (a decision which Peter Taylor was very frustrated with.) Instead, Matt Duke will be the goalkeeper in-between the sticks come Saturday afternoon. Bo’s presence though will be a sore miss.

Hopefully Andy Dawson will be straight back into the squad to replace Damien Delaney who has been trying to provide back-up cover as a left-back. I would also like to see Keith Andrews make his return – he will seem like a new signing after missing so much of the season since the Summer already.

Player to watch: Billy Paynter

After scoring his first Tigers goal away at QPR, the striker will now be looking to get more. Hopefully he can do this on Saturday. Impressive at QPR, he looks to be linking up well with the lively Fagan and experienced Barmby, and lets hope this partnership can flourish on Saturday.

Cardiff City Team News:

Darren Purse will return for Cardiff. After missing the home victory against Ipswich Town through suspension, the experienced defender is in line for a recall.

Kevin Cooper is a slight doubt as he is in a race for fitness. Other than that, Cardiff seem to have a full strength team to visit the KC with, and a very strong team at that.

Player to watch: Jason Koumas

Can be an outstanding player. Often criticised for his temperament off the pitch, he is a class player on it. His touch and passing ability can unlock defences, and Welsh and Woodhouse will have to get close to him to stop this creative spark playing.

Match Facts & Stats

This will be the first meeting of these two teams at the KC Stadium, and the first since the 2000/01 season, when both teams recorded 2-0 home victories.

Cardiff have recorded three victories on their travels, where as Hull have only won 2 games at home so far this season. This has lead to a run of 1 win in eleven, and no win in six (four defeats, 2 draws.)

Ref Watch:

Unknown as of yet (Check back later to find out.)

Match Prediction:

I think the game may be close. If we can stop Koumas playing and keep the lively Jerome up-front quiet, the Tigers may have a chance, providing those two are not too involved, the Tigers could sneak it. However, the loss of Boaz is a big blow, and could affect us. I think we will get a third consecutive draw with a score line of 1-1. What the Tigers can’t afford to do is lose !!