Premier League Preview: Hull City - West Ham United

Kick-Off: Saturday, November 21, 15:00.
KC Stadium, Hull.

Quite often the much-bemoaned international break can flower into a timely reprieve for those clubs who find themselves stuck in the midst of a bad run. Yet for Hull City and West Ham United, the scheduled interruption has been anything other than a break.

Hull’s victory over Stoke City last time out is arguably the only reason why Phil Brown will find himself stood in the home dug-out come Saturdays clash with the Hammers; as another defeat would have surely sealed his fate – especially considering that new chairman Adam Pearson would have had a fortnight in which to employ Brown’s successor.

The shenanigans less than 100 miles down the A15 at Peterborough United will have done little to ease Brown’s worries, as moments after news broke of Darren Ferguson’s departure, the former London Road boss was being tipped to take over Brown’s parking space at the KC.

A win against the Hammers on Saturday will see Brown through the following week, but don’t expect the bomber jacket donning tactician to be around for too much longer.

Having lost 2-1 at home to Everton in their last match, Gianfranco Zola’s West Ham side would have welcomed the international break as a time to regroup. The Italian’s job appears fairly secure, as with limited resources and constant departures – with star asset Carlton Cole the latest name linked with the exit door – the former Chelsea wizard has calmly gone about his business.

West Ham’s problem though is one that’s shared by many teams in the Premier League; they simply do not score enough goals. Zola has tried to equip his modest midfield of workhorses with the technical flair of Luis Jimenez and Alessandro Diamanti, but as of yet his Italian based acquisitions are yet to make their marks, which on the back of big money flop Savio Nsereko could ultimately prove to be Zola’s downfall.

Saturday’s match may be more pivotal to the immediate future of Brown than Zola, but poor results outweigh favorable personalities, and as Brian Clough once said, “If it meant getting three points on a Saturday I would shoot my grandmother.” Such is the ruthlessness of football.

FORM GUIDE

Hull City

8th Nov:  Hull City 2-1 Stoke City
31st Oct:  Burnley 2-0 Hull City
24th Oct:  Hull City 0-0 Portsmouth
19th Oct:  Fulham 2-0 Hull City
3rd Oct:  Hull City 2-1 Wigan

West Ham United

8th Nov:  West Ham 1-2 Everton
4th Nov:  West Ham 2-1 Aston Villa
31st Oct:  Sunderland 2-2 West Ham
25th Oct:  West Ham 2-2 Arsenal
17th Oct:  Stoke City 2-1 West Ham

TEAM NEWS

Hull City

Phil Brown’s only doubt surrounds goalkeeper Boaz Myhill, who remains sidelined with a knee injury and is unlikely to feature, with Matt Duke likely deputize.

Long-term absentee Ian Ashbee will definitely miss the match, with the midfielder ruled-out with a Posterior Cruciate Ligament tear and is not expected back until the middle of May.

Starting XI from last league match:  Duke, Mendy, Zayatte, Gardner, Dawson, Garcia, Olofinjana, Bullard, Hunt, Fagan, Altidore.

West Ham

The Hammers travel to the KC Stadium with doubts over at least four first-team players. Top goalscorer Carlton Cole is unlikely to ready for the match as the England striker struggles to overcome a hamstring injury, whilst Herita Ilunga and Kieron Dyer (both hamstring) and James Tomkins is doubtful with a groin strain.

Junior Stanislas is suffering with a virus and remains a slight doubt, whilst long-term absentees, Dean Ashton, Luis Boa Morte and Calum Davenport are definitely ruled-out.

Starting XI from last league match: Green, Faubert, Da Costa, Upson, Spector, Parker, Behrami, Jimenez, Collison, Franco, Hines.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Hull City – Geovanni

In the 29-year-old Brazilian, Hull City have a real match-winner – who when on-form, can trouble any defense in the Premier League.

Geovanni has already bagged himself three goals this season, and with West Ham's defense likely to be depleted through injuries to Ilunga and Tomkins, it is likely that Hull’s tricky number 10 will be given adequate space in which to exploit the Hammers.

West Ham – Robert Green

The England goalkeeper has conceded 20 goals thus far this season, but the former Norwich man could secure victory for the visitors should he perform to his maximum and keep a clean sheet – with his side unlikely to be lethal in attack in Carlton Cole’s expected absence.

Hull have attempted the least number of shots in the league, with only 88 efforts on goal, so keeping concentration will be key for Green on Saturday – a skill which will surely bode well for both club and country.

PREDICTION

This match is likely to be a tight contest. With their last matches having been played over two weeks ago, form takes second place behind the importance of this game in terms of league positioning.

Both sides can edge away from the drop with three points at the weekend, but with Hull’s impotence going forward, and West Ham’s lack of firepower in Carlton Cole’s absence, I feel that this one will end in a draw.

Hull City 1-1 West Ham

Richard Parry, Goal.com

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