If you were asked to place a Premier League bet on the team most likely to be relegated from the top flight in the coming season then Hull City, one of the three promoted sides, would be a popular choice.
The Tigers battled their way into the elite courtesy of Dean Windass’ strike in the play-off win over Bristol City but just six weeks after that joyous Wembley day the Tigers are the 1.38 favouries to return to the Championship.
It’s no surprise the three promoted sides Stoke, West Brom and Hull are the hot favourites for relegation but the recent arrival of midfield playmaker Geovanni will aid Hull in their battle against the soccer odds.
The 28-year-old schemer was regarded as one of Brazil’s bright young things aged 20 collecting 14 caps but he did not fulfil his potential.
The former Barcelona man was picked up by Manchester City last season by Sven-Goran Eriksson on a free from Cruzeiro and he was a major factor in City’s terrific start to the season. Geovanni scored on his debut in the 2-0 win over West Ham and then wrote himself into the history books with the winning goal in the 1-0 derby win over deadly rivals Manchester United.
The attacking midfielder scored three goals in only two Premier League starts with the Eastlands outfit before the talented Elano was given the nod by Sven as City’s attacking flair meaning Geovanni was often a substitute.
City decided to release him at the end of the season and Hull boss Phil Brown has landed him on a two-year deal in a bid to keep his Tigers in the Premier League.
The former Benfica player has bags of talent and is sure to provide the spark the newcomers will need, but Brown will know he needs strike a balance in his side and he will also need to add some players who are not as pleasing on the eye.
It could prove to be a shrewd piece of business for Brown though, who will get the freedom of the city if he can keep the apparent no-hopers in the top division.
The bookies have already written off the men from the KC Stadium. They are 2.42 to finish bottom of the pile, but Geovanni could help City overachieve and you night be advised to stick them in your football accumulators at home to Fulham on August 16.
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
