Match Preview: Hull City vs Leicester City – Depleted Hull prepare for...

Match Preview: Hull City vs Leicester City – Depleted Hull prepare for champs

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All eyes will be on the KC Stadium as another highly anticipated Premier League campaign gets underway.

Despite earning promotion to the top flight for just the third time in the club’s history, there is doom and gloom around Hull City. Earlier in the summer, the Tigers’ most successful manager Steve Bruce resigned unexpectedly and with just 12 senior players fit and no incomings, Hull are most people’s favourites for the drop.

Even with the departure of crucial midfielder N’Golo Kante, there is still a sense of excitement as Leicester City begin their title defence. The future of star man Riyad Mahrez is an ongoing concern for the Foxes but with manager Claudio Ranieri committing his long-term future to the club, there is a sense of continuity at the King Power Stadium – something that is absent at Hull.


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Key Battle – Curtis Davies vs Jamie Vardy 

With Hull set to start the season without their experienced captain Michael Dawson, his usual partner at the back Curtis Davies will have to take the reigns. The former Birmingham City man has often worn the captain’s armband during his four years in the side and is a very well respected around the club.

On the opening day, Davies will have to be at his best as he comes up against one of the star players in the Premier League last season. Jamie Vardy helped propel Leicester to the most unlikely title victory, scoring in a record-breaking 11 consecutive games in the process. Despite a disappointing Euro 2016 campaign with England and after turning down a move to Arsenal, Vardy will be highly motivated and confident of reproducing his fine form of 2015-16 to prove he is not just a one-season wonder.

Team News

Hull’s preseason has been blighted by injuries. Allan McGregor, Michael Dawson and Moses Odubajo, the defensive trio who were crucial in City’s promotion charge, are all out with long-term injuries. Add to that fellow defender Alex Bruce being ruled out for at least another four months, then there is a full blown injury crisis. Caretaker boss Mike Phelan has very little to choose from but will be relieved that the midfielder pair of Jake Livermore and Tom Huddlestone have got over preseason knocks.

Part of Leicester’s success last term was their ability to name a largely unchanged side from week to week. Ahead of the new season, Ranieri once again has no injury concerns. All eyes will be on the new boys for the Foxes, and the most scrutinised will likely be Nampalys Mendy, the midfielder with the unenviable task of filling the gap left by Kante. New signing Ahmed Musa along with Poland’s Batosz Kapustka could well make their league debuts.

Head- to- Head

Hull hold the slight head-to-head advantage with 29 wins in the 88 games between the pair, with Leicester winning 26 and the other 23 ending all square.

Previous Meeting

Hull managed to prevail the last time these sides meet, which came in the Capital One Cup last season. After 90 goalless minutes, goals from Mahrez and then Abel Hernandez in extra time took the game to a shootout. Mahrez hit the post from his spot kick and David Meyler converted to send Hull through, who scored all five of their efforts.

Prediction

Leicester could not have wished for an easier start to their title defence. Hull are in a mess and with fan protest expected during the match, it could be a toxic atmosphere. Meanwhile, the Foxes looked in good form despite defeat against United in the Community Shield. Everything points to an away win, but as Leicester proved last season, everything is possible in the Premier League.

Hull City 0 Leicester City 2

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