Premier League Preview: Hull City - Portsmouth

Hull City take on Portsmouth this weekend in what is arguably the earliest relegation six-pointer of any Premier League season.

Both sides will be desperate to secure three points that could well be seen as invaluable when the end of the season rears its head in May.

The two teams were labelled as relegation favourites before a ball was kicked this season, and neither have done much to prove themselves unworthy of the tag.

With just two victories under his belt so far, Phil Brown can only dream of last season's euphoric start to the season that saw his side sitting third in the league after their first nine games.

Meanwhile Portsmouth have just one win this season and suffered defeat at the hands of former manager Harry Redknapp last weekend.

And with just one clean sheet between the two sides this season you can almost guarantee there'll be goals.

FORM GUIDE

Hull

19 Oct: Fulham 2 - 0 Hull (Premier League)
03 Oct: Hull 2 - 1 Wigan Athletic (Premier League)
26 Sep: Liverpool 6 - 1 Hull (Premier League)
19 Sep: Hull 0 -1 Birmingham (Premier League)
12 Sep: Sunderland 4 - 1 Hull (Premier League)

Portsmouth

17 Oct: Portsmouth 1 - 2 Tottenham (Premier League)
03 Oct: Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 - 0 Portsmouth (Premier League)
26 Sep: Portsmouth 0 - 1 Everton (Premier League)
22 Sep: Carlisle Utd 1 - 3 Portsmouth (League Cup)
19 Sep: Aston Villa 2 - 0 Portsmouth (Premier League)

TEAM NEWS

Hull

Midfielder Jimmy Bullard may start for Hull after making his return from injury with a cameo performance against former club Fulham on Monday.

Phil Brown also has captian Nicky Barmby (calf) and Anthony Gardner (knee) fit for selection after their recovery from injuries.

Possible Starting XI: Myhill, Zayatte, McShane, Dawson, Sonko, Ghilas, Geovanni, Kilbane, Marney, Hunt, Venegoor of Hesselink

Portsmouth

Michael Brown will serve a one-game ban after his red card against Tottenham Hotspur last week.

Paul Hart will be boosted by the news that he can welcome Herman Hreidarsson back from injury, and include Jamie O'Hara in the squad after the Spurs loanee was ineligible to play against his parent club last week.

Fellow midfielders Richard Hughes and Papa Bouba Diop will not make the grade, despite playing for the reserves, due to a lack of match fitness.

Possible Starting XI: James, Finnan, Hreidarsson, Ben-Haim, Kaboul, Boateng, Mokoena, Yebda, O'Hara, Smith, Dindane

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Hull - Geovanni

The Brazilian is the only player in the Hull squad who truly scares other teams with his trickery and skill. The midfielder has the ability to counjure up something from nothing and has beautiful technique when striking a football. Michael Brown would likely have been the man to keep Geovanni quiet, but with the Pompey midfielder absent through suspension, Hull's magic man may get a little extra time and space to influence the game.

Portsmouth - Arouna Dindane

The striker may not have shown his best form against Tottenham last weekend as he spurned three golden opportunities to notch his first Premier Legaue goal. However, the Ivorian found himself plenty of space in and around the box against a much stronger defence than Hull are capable of fielding. It could be Hull's weakness that allows Dindane to be Portsmouth's strongest weapon.

PREDICTION

Hull's weak defence will see them unable to deal with the pace and strength of Portsmouth's wide men in the shape of Boateng and O'Hara, and their lack of a quality target man gives them no real outlet. With Pompey appearing too nervous to perform in front of their own fans, this away trip will give them a chance to relax - and the bottom club may just have enough to pick up all three points.

Hull 0 - 2 Portsmouth

David Kifford, Goal.com UK