MX23RW : Sunday, December 29 03:28:01| >> :120:68057:68057:
[monks data]
Attendance: 15,739
Hull logo
Championship
Dec 12, 2015 at 3pm UK
 
Bolton logo

1-0

Akpom (19')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Preview: Hull City vs. Bolton Wanderers

Sports Mole previews the Championship clash between Hull City and Bolton Wanderers.

Hull City are seeking to avoid a third straight defeat as they welcome bottom-of-the-table Bolton Wanderers to the KC Stadium.

The Trotters, however, are still looking for their first win away from home as they face a financial crisis off the pitch.


Hull City

Steve Bruce, manager of Hull City looks during the Sky Bet Championship match between Brentford and Hull City on November 3, 2015© Getty Images

Tigers boss Steve Bruce had warned his side that defeats against Derby County and away to Manchester City in the League Cup should not derail their bid to regain their Premier League status for next season.

That was before Hull slumped to a 2-1 loss at Leeds United, which left them six points behind leaders Brighton & Hove Albion.

However, club legend Dean Windass has admitted that he is struggling to understand why fans are starting to worry about their promotion prospects.

The former striker may have a point, with Hull boasting the third-best defence in the Championship and the third-best attack.

City are also likely to have several players returning from injury in the coming weeks, including defender Michael Dawson.

However, another former player, Peter Swan, has urged Hull not to take Bolton lightly, suggesting that there are no easy games in the Championship.

Recent form: WWWDLL
Recent form (all competitions): WWDLLL


Bolton Wanderers

Bolton manager Neil Lennon takes his seat ahead of the Sky Bet Championship match between Bolton Wanderers and Sheffield Wednesday at Reebok Stadium on September 15, 2015© Getty Images

While the Trotters will be hoping to give their bid to avoid relegation a timely boost with a win, their biggest task is merely to remain in existence.

On Thursday evening, the club were served with a winding-up petition by HM Revenue and Customs over an unpaid tax bill.

Dean Holdsworth, whose Sports Shield company are reportedly the leading candidates to buy out Bolton, was present at Wanderers' 3-2 defeat against Cardiff City on Saturday, but a deal is yet to be completed.

Such is the financial peril that the club find themselves in that 300 employees are said to be have been told that they could go unpaid before Christmas.

The ramifications of Bolton's ongoing off-the-field problems have led to suggestions from manager Neil Lennon that he might decide to leave the Lancashire outfit.

Worse still, Lennon's young forward Max Clayton could be out for the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on a hamstring tear.

Recent form: DLDLDL


Team News

Zach Clough (C) of Bolton scores the opening goal during the FA Cup Third Round match between Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic at the Macron Stadium on January 3, 2015© Getty Images

While Clayton is facing several months on the sidelines, the attacking duo of Zach Clough and Wellington Silva are edging closer to a return to action.

However, the trip to Hull is likely to come too soon for both players, with Gary Madine and Shola Ameobi likely to continue up front.

As mentioned, Michael Dawson is contention for a return to Hull's defence, while Robert Snodgrass is nearing a return to first-team football, after playing for the Under-21s in the last week.

Abel Hernandez should also feature, although Chuba Akpom is also a striking option for Bruce's side.

Hull City possible starting lineup:
McGregor; Elmohamady, Dawson, Odubajo, Robertson; Clucas, Huddlestone, Maguire, Livermore, Diame; Hernandez

Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Amos; Vela, Dervite, Wheater, Casado; Moxey, Danns, Pratley, Feeney; Madine, Ameobi


Head To Head

The Tigers' overall record against Wanderers is poor, with only 11 wins in 51 matches, dating back to the first encounter in September 1908.

However, since their first promotion to the Premier League under the stewardship of Phil Brown they have fared somewhat better, having won two and lost two meetings with the Trotters.

Bolton's last win on Humberside came in that first Premier League campaign, courtesy of a solitary Matt Taylor goal.


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Hull City 2-1 Bolton Wanderers

With Bolton having picked up only two points from a possible 27 on the road and Hull losing just once at the KC Stadium, it is hard to see anything other than another defeat for the beleaguered Trotters.



ID:261564: cacheID:261564:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:9927:
Written by
Chris O'Keefe
No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Max Clayton of Bolton Wanderers tackles Marc-Antoine Fortune of Wigan Athletic during the Sky Bet Championship match between Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic at Macron Stadium on November 7, 2014
Read Next:
Max Clayton ruled out for four months
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Cardinals
@
Rams
6pm
Jets
@
Bills
6pm
Panthers
@
Buccaneers
6pm
Colts
@
Giants
6pm
Titans
@
Jags
6pm
Raiders
@
Saints
6pm
Packers
@
Vikings
9.05pm
Dolphins
@
Browns
9.25pm
Cowboys
@
Eagles
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds23146343152848
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd23155332131948
3Burnley2313823092147
4Sunderland23128336201644
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn2211562720738
6Watford2211473229337
7Middlesbrough23106741311036
8West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom2381142718935
9Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds239683133-233
10Swansea CitySwansea238692724330
11Bristol City237972728-130
12Norwich CityNorwich237883935429
13Millwall227782220228
14Derby CountyDerby2376102929027
15Coventry CityCoventry2376103234-227
16Preston North EndPreston2351172329-626
17Queens Park RangersQPR2351082331-825
18Luton TownLuton2374122539-1425
19Stoke CityStoke2357112332-922
20Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2256112439-1521
21Portsmouth214892637-1120
22Hull City2347122132-1119
23Cardiff CityCardiff2246122137-1618
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth2246122249-2718


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!