Sports Mole previews the Premier League clash between Hull City and Everton at the KC Stadium as two struggling teams look to kick off 2015 with a much-needed win.

Two sides who will be hoping that the turn of the year represents a change in fortune meet on Thursday as Hull City entertain Everton at the KC Stadium.

Both clubs had their highs in 2014, but ended the year towards the bottom of the Premier League form guide and with fingers pointing at their respective managers.

Steve Bruce was heralded for comfortably guiding the Tigers to safety upon their return to the top flight last season, when they also reached their first ever FA Cup final.

However, the Lancashire outfit have so far failed to match the increased expectations this campaign, despite what had appeared to be some shrewd summer investment.

Having ended a 10-match winless run with a 3-1 victory at Sunderland, it was one step forward, one step back for City as they lost at home to bottom-of-the-table Leicester City to stay afloat of the drop zone only on goal difference.

Injuries have not helped their cause, and Bruce, who has been touted as a potential successor to Crystal Palace-bound Alan Pardew at Newcastle United this week, could find himself without as many as eight first-team players for the visit of the Toffees.

His opposite number is also having to manage a lengthening absentee list, with goalkeeper Tim Howard the latest key cog unavailable to Roberto Martinez, having been ruled out for six weeks with a calf problem.

Defenders Phil Jagielka and John Stones are also carrying knocks, while James McCarthy was forced off at half time in the 3-2 defeat to Newcastle United - a third straight loss which left Everton 12th in the table.

The Toffees were eight places and 16 points better off at this stage last term, and need to start rediscovering their first-season Martinez form if they are to challenge for the highly-competitive European spots.

Getting Romelu Lukaku firing again could be key to their chances, and the Belgian striker is likely to come back into the lineup, despite Arouna Kone scoring on his first Premier League start in 18 months.

Steven Naismith is back from suspension and should start alongside Ross Barkley, whose error off the bench against the Magpies was Everton's division-high 10th which has gone on to cost them a goal.

Kevin Mirallas could also return in a completely fresh attacking-midfield trio. Samuel Eto'o, Aiden McGeady and Luke Garbutt's places are in jeopardy, with Joel Robles to start in goal and Muhamed Besic in midfield.

Stephen Quinn's ban for his stoppage-time dismissal against the Foxes limits Hull's options in the centre of the park further, with Tom Huddlestone already serving a suspension and Mohamed Diame still sidelined.

Having James Chester to call upon after his own ban will allow Bruce to revert to 3-5-2 and recall Nikica Jelavic up front, likely at the expense of Gaston Ramirez, who is nursing an injury sustained against Leicester.

There should also be starts for Robbie Brady, David Meyler, Sone Aluko and Liam Rosenior, but Michael Dawson, Robert Snodgrass and Andrew Robertson all have New Year's Day off because of injury.

Everton have lost just one of their last 12 matches against Hull in all competitions - with the reverse fixture between these sides in December ending in a 1-1 draw.

Hull:

Recent form: DDLLWL

Possible starting lineup: McGregor; Chester, Bruce, Davies; Elmohamady, Meyler, Livermore, Brady, Rosenior; Aluko, Jelavic

Everton:

Form in Premier League: DLWLLL
Form in all competitions: LLWLLL

Possible starting lineup: Joel; Coleman, Alcaraz, Distin, Baines; Barry, Besic; Mirallas, Barkley, Naismith; Lukaku

Sports Mole says: 1-1