Hull v Burnley Preview

This is arguably one of the biggest games of the evening, as these two playoff chasers are pitted together at the KC Stadium. Both started the season very slowly, yet both are now in full flow and within touching distance of the top six. However, considering the amount of teams already up there, you would have to think that just one of these two sides will make it.

Hull’s season has certainly been an inconsistent one although in recent months Nigel Pearson has managed to get his side on song and following a struggle in the bottom half of the table, the Tigers are now starting to mount a serious top six push. With five points separating them from 6th place, it’s going to take some strong form but that is certainly something that the club have behind them at the moment. The KC Stadium outfit have managed four wins from their last six and having beaten fellow playoff contenders Nottingham Forest in their last game, Pearson’s men will definitely be full of confidence. What’s more, through the January transfer window Pearson brought in plenty of reinforcements and as time goes on, you can only imagine those players settling into the club even more.

Burnley approach this fixture in a similar vein of form, with the Clarets also winning four of their last six. This improvement has undoubtedly been due to the influence of Eddie Howe, who has continued to enhance his reputation as one of the most promising young managers since his move from Bournemouth earlier this year. The Turf Moor side are unquestionably in a better situation than their opponents as well, with the club just four points away from 6th place but also having two games in hand over every side around them. That puts them in an extremely favorable position and as the season starts to draw to a close, many pundits believe that this Burnley side will end up finishing in the top six.

As for team news, Hull just have the one problem as Nigel Pearson sweats on the fitness of Vito Mannone. The Italian is struggling with a thigh problem and is highly unlikely to feature in this encounter. Burnley meanwhile have been hit with a huge blow following the news that Charlie Austin is out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury. Elsewhere, Eddie Howe has other problems in the forwards department as Steven Thomson and Martin Paterson prepare to miss out through groin and thigh problems respectively.

Both of these sides have identical form over the last few weeks, yet we think Burnley could take all the points here. The Clarets have shown remarkable improvement under Eddie Howe and having impressed on the road as well, we’ll predict a narrow 1-0 victory for the visitors in this one.

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