Hull City vs Stoke City: Betting Odds & Prediction
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Promotion-chasing Hull City host relegation-threatened Stoke City in a match with implications at both ends of the Sky Bet Championship table.
Kick-off is set for 3pm UK time at the MKM Stadium.
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Hull City
The home side come into the match in seventh, three points behind Norwich City in the final play-off place. Hull have however played a game less than their play-off rivals.
The hosts are unbeaten in their last seven games, but their previous four outings have all ended level. Most recently, they held second-placed Leicester to a 2-2 home draw before the international break.
Despite boasting the fifth-best away form in the division, Hull's form on home soil has somewhat faltered; they've averaged just 1.47 points per game (PPG) at home so far (W7, D7, L5). They've scored 1.43 goals per home game, which falls in line with their expected goal (xG) tally of 1.47.
Their 20 goals conceded averages at 1.24 per game, which is slightly better than their expected goals against (xGA) tally of 1.32. Only 24% of Hull's matches have ended in clean sheets though, and 38% have seen them concede at least two goals.
Stoke City
Stoke's form has been mediocre to say the least. Their 1.08 PPG average predictably leaves them meandering in 19th, just two points above the relegation zone. Their form on the road has been terrible, with Steven Schumacher's side averaging just one PPG across 19 away matches.
Their 21 away goals leaves them with an average of 1.11, which is slightly below their 1.23 xG. Stoke's defensive record doesn't make for much better reading; their 29 conceded averages 1.53 per game, slightly below their projected xGA of 1.48.
Potters fans can take some hope from their most recent away outing, which saw them secure three vital points with a 2-1 win at Preston North End. The win was their first in four away games, though.
They have also kept a clean sheet in just 16% of away matches, while failing to score in 32%. They've conceded at least two goals in 47%, though they have scored two themselves in 32%.
Prediction
Hull cannot afford to drop points in this one if they're to keep pace with their play-off rivals as we enter the final stretch of the season. Despite a shaky home record, they've scored plenty in front of their home fans and will be confident of more goals against a leaky Stoke defence on Friday afternoon.
Even though the away side won their last match on the road, backing them to get anything here would be nothing more than a shot in the dark. Not only do they concede far too many, they're also struggling at the other end of the pitch - a pattern which will need to drastically improve if they are to remain a Championship side next season.
Hull's home games have also averaged 2.47 total goals so far this campaign, and OddsNow anticipate plenty of goalscoring action again in this one.