Hull City get the New Year off to a tough start with a trip to the Potteries to take on a Stoke side who currently find themselves fourth in the Coca Cola Championship, just two points off the promotion places.
Vital Quotes:
Stoke City Team News:
Stoke boss Tony Pullis is without suspended keeper Russell Hoult so Steve Simmonsen will deputise. Dominic Matteo & Salif Diao are still out with injury. Stephen Wright may well come in for a start st the expense of Andy Wilkinson as Pullis looks to shore up a defence that has leaked 6 goals in 3 games.
Player to watch: Ricardo Fuller
Fullers 11 goals this season put him in 4th place in the scorers list this term and City will need to keep an eye on his pace
Hull City Team News:
Tigers Boss Phil Brown is forced to make one change from the side that started against Sheffield Wednesday with Dean Windass coming in for Frazier Campbell who has a hamstring injury. Brown may also look to juggle his squad around and the likes of Nick Barmby, Damien Delaney & Dean Marney could all well figure from the kick off.
Player to watch: Caleb Folan
The pacy striker is starting to find his shooting boots now and Stoke could well suffer if he isnt marshalled properly
Match Facts & Stats
The last 6 meetings between the two sides has resulted in 3 wins for Stoke, 1 for City and 2 draws, with the last two meetings producing the stalemates. The Brittania stadium has been a happy hunting ground for City recently with their last five visits there resulting in 2 wins, 2 draws and 1 defeat.
Current Form
City LLWDWW
Stoke WDWWDD
Ref Watch:
Todays referee is Neil Swarbrick from Lancashire. Neil has a reputation of showing a lot of cards with 47 yellows (2.04 per game) and 5 reds so far this season including a double sending off in Port Vales 3-0 win over Cheltenham back in October, his most recent sending off being Scunthorpe defender Mark Williams against West Brom on Saturday. He has refereed one Tigers game back in August 2006 when he booked 2 coventry players in their 1-0 win at the K.C Stadium
Match Prediction:
A tough start for 2008 for Phil Browns side against a Stoke team unbeaten in nine matches. Unfortunately i have a feeling that Stoke will make it 10 unbeaten and go for a 1-0 win for the Potters.
Next Fixtures:
Plymouth v The Tigers FA Cup 3rd round Sat 5th Jan 2008.
Stoke City v Newcastle Utd FA Cup 3rd round Sun 6th Jan 2008
I hope we can pick up at least a point today. I shall listen in on the radio and watch the scores on the tele – all those going, sing your hearts out for the boys.
A Happy New Year to all Hull supporters wherever in the world they may be – May 2008 bring you and your team everything you wish for – Play Up Pompey
A point will be a great result today
Thanks Chix, same to all Pompey fans!!