Premier League Preview: Everton - Hull City

Toffees expected to tame Tigers.

Mar 6, 2010 7:37:00 AM

By Chris Myson

More On :  Everton, Hull
Leighton Baines, Everton (Getty Images)
Kick-Off: Sunday, March 07 16:00 GMT.
Goodison Park, Goodisan Road, Liverpool

Everton go in as heavy favorites to defeat Hull City at Goodison Park in the Premier League on Sunday.

The Toffees were on cloud nine only two weeks ago after they defeated Manchester United shortly after overcoming Chelsea, and many were touting them for a late-season charge for European qualification.

Since then though, David Moyes’ men have been hit by a dose of reality as they crashed out of the Europa League to Sporting in Portugal before losing to Tottenham Hotspur in the league last weekend.

Realistically, Europe now looks beyond Moyes’ side, but after a season of so many injury problems and a disastrous run of results from the campaign's out-set, a finish in the top eight would still represent a good effort.


Birmingham City and Fulham are their main rivals for such a finish and Everton will be looking to get back on track with a win at Goodison, where they have been so strong this season.

Hull, on the other hand, are deep in a relegation battle and sit in the dreaded relegation zone with just eleven league matches yet to play.

The Tigers have a simply miserable record away from home, with no wins and just four points being earned from 14-games on the road. Scoring goals has also been a problem; with Phil Brown’s side averaging only one every two games on their travels.

As a result, it is the home side who go in comprehensively backed to pick up three points, and any other result would be considered a major surprise.

FORM GUIDE

Everton

Feb 28: Tottenham Hostspur 2-1 Everton (Premier League)
Feb 25: Sporting 3-0 Everton (Europa League)
Feb 20: Everton 3-1 Manchester United (Premier League)
Feb 16: Everton 2-1 Sporting (Europa League)
Feb 10: Everton 2-1 Chelsea (Premier League)

Hull City

Feb 20: West Ham United 3-0 Hull City (Premier League)
Feb 10: Blackburn Rovers 1-0 Hull City (Premier League)
Feb 06: Hull City 2-1 Manchester City (Premier League)
Feb 02: Hull City 1-1 Chelsea (Premier League)
Jan 30: Hull City 2-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers (Premier League)

TEAM NEWS

Everton

Everton will make late fitness checks on Tim Cahill (calf), Phil Jagielka (thigh) and Leon Osman (foot) ahead of their game with Hull at Goodison Park.

Striker Louis Saha (thigh) is definitely ruled out, but Philippe Senderos (knee) and James Vaughan (knock) should be passed fit.

Possible starting XI (4-4-1-1): Howard; Neville, Heitinga, Distin, Baines; Donovan, Arteta, Rodwell, Pienaar, Cahill; Yakubu.

Hull City

Hull have been boosted by the news that key players Jimmy Bullard and Geovanni are both available, while winger Stephen Hunt (foot) is also likely to be passed fit.

Craig Fagan is suspended, while Anthony Gardner (ankle) is a long-term absentee for the Tigers.

Possible starting XI (4-4-2): Myhill; McShane, Mouyokolo, Zayatte, Dawson; Geovanni, Boateng, Bullard, Hunt; Altidore, Vennegoor of Hesselink.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Everton - Yakubu

With top goal-scorer Louis Saha ruled out with a thigh injury, Yakubu is likely to be the man selected to lead the line for Everton on Sunday. Injuries and a lack of form have meant the Nigerian striker is yet to get going this season, but after scoring against Tottenham last week, this represents an ideal opportunity for him to make something of the campaign.

Hull City - Stephen Hunt

Scoring goals has been a real problem for Hull this season, which is probably why Republic of Ireland winger Stephen Hunt is their top goal-scorer with six goals to his name. The 28-year-old has had a good first campaign at the KC Stadium and will be key to the Tigers’ hopes of avoiding the drop.

PREDICTION

Last week was a tough one for Everton as they crashed out of Europe and suffered a defeat to Tottenham, so it is important they get back on track as a top-eight finish is still very much in sight.

Hull are deep in a relegation battle and their dire away form means they are unlikely to boost their survival hopes with a result on Sunday.

This should be a comfortable win for Everton, although you never know what is around the corner in the Premier League.

Everton 2-0 Hull City

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