Most Hull City supporters realized that this year in the Premier League was probably going to be its last for a while. The Tigers are expected to get relegated and are expected to finish at the foot of the table. They're overmatched most days, and the last thing they needed was a match against Manchester City. But this is the holiday season after all, and we've seen bigger Christmas miracles than this in England over the years.
Don't miss the Barclays Premier League action from KCOM Stadium at 12:15 p.m. ET on Monday, December 26, 2016. Catch every moment of the match live on NBC Sports Network.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
Hull City +675
Manchester City -303
Draw +450
Over/Under 3.5
Odds Analysis
It's not often you see totals of 3.5 in the Premier League. But between Hull City's defense, one which has conceded 36 times already in just 17 matches this year and the Manchester City offense, one which has scored 36 times in 17 matches, it's definitely plausible to see the Citizens putting three or four on the board by themselves.
We're also not exaggerating about Manchester City in this one. The Citizens are -303 favorites and are laying a goal and a half on the Asian Handicap. They should win this match going away, though of course, matches like this aren't ultimately played on paper.
Key Injuries
Hull City already has the smallest roster in the Premier League, and any injuries it suffers are magnified. The Tigers are without Alex Bruce, William Keane, Brian Lenihan, Greg Luer, Ryan Mason, Allen McGregor and Moses Odubajo, but perhaps the biggest injury of the bunch is to Abel Hernandez. He's one of the key attackers on a team that badly needs to find some goal scoring touch between now and the end of the year to have any chance whatsoever to stay up, and with him recovering from hernia surgery, he won't be back until New Year's Eve at the earliest.
Sergio Aguero has one more match to sit out after his tirade that earned him a red card against Chelsea and earned himself a four-game suspension. Fernandinho, who was also booted from that match and was suspended for three games, is eligible to return for this fixture. Ilkay Gundogan and Vincent Kompany are both out until at least the turn of the calendar. Pablo Zabaleta, who was taken off against Arsenal at halftime, is a question mark.
Recent Form
City has won a couple matches in a row and is starting to look a little bit more like itself. The team knocked off both Watford and Arsenal at home in the crowded middle of December stretch, and that could be the start of a nice run around the holidays.
Hull City has just one point from its last five matches in the Premier League, and that's why this hole it has to dig out of keeps getting bigger. The loss at West Ham was crushing, as this was a fixture that was there for the taking and ended up being a 1-0 loss. It’s the third time in the last four matches the Tigers have been blanked.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
But don't count out Hull City here. The team played a good match against West Ham and just couldn't get one home. Dieumerci Mbokani and Adama Diomande are going at this alone up top, but we know they have the raw talent to score even though they are overmatched for sure by the Manchester City defense.
Could we see any upset here at the KC? Perhaps. But we think more realistic is a treat of a game with goals galore on both sides. We prefer the over, but we think that Hull City can shock the world and get something out of this one.
Barclays Premier League Odds: Hull City 2, Manchester City 2
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