Prediction: Hull vs Arsenal



Verdict: Hull +1 Asian handicap

Best Odds: 17/20

Bookmaker: bet365

Hull City have started to struggle after the impressive start, but they are still well clear of the bottom three and head into the Arsenal clash in good spirits after sharing spoils with Burnley. The Gunners were unable to extend the winning run in Paris, but even the 1-1 draw will give them something to build on this weekend.

Hull

Newly-promoted Hull City headed into the new season amidst huge problems on and off the pitch as the fans turned against club owners and the squad was decimated by injuries to star players. With manager Steve Bruce also leaving and no new signings arriving before the opening clash against Premier League champions Leicester City, the Tigers were rightly seen as one of the main candidates for the drop. However, they did brilliantly to defy the odds in the opening exchanges, recording back to back wins over Leicester City and Swansea, while also defeating Exeter City in the Capital One Cup. Hull City continued with solid showings as they came really close to holding Manchester United to a goalless draw at KCOM Stadium, only for Marcus Rashford to score the winner in injury time. The Tigers have since returned to the right track, scoring a late goal to earn a 1-1 draw at Burnley, and they will now want to extend the good run against Arsenal. Having recruited the likes of David Marshall, Ryan Mason, Will Keane, Dieumerci Mbokani, Markus Henriksen and James Weir in the final two days of the summer transfer window, Hull City are in optimistic mood ahead of the visit of Arsenal.

Team News

There have been no fresh selection worries for manager Mike Phelan, who could draft Ryan Mason into the starting line-up.

Meanwhile, Michael Dawson, Moses Odubajo, Alex Bruce, Allan McGregor, Greg Luer and Brian Lenihan remain in the infirmary.



Arsenal

Four games into the new Premier League campaign and Arsenal sit in seventh position in the overall standings, which is not such a bad place to be after taking just one point from first two fixtures. The Gunners showed some improvement to defeat Watford and Southampton, but their performances are still not of desired standard. That is not such a big surprise considering that most key men missed entire pre-season training, so nobody really knows when the likes of Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud will hit top form. Somewhat forgotten David Ospina proved an unlikely hero in midweek as he produced a near-perfect performance to prevent Arsenal from losing to Paris Saint-Germain, but he will, nonetheless, make way for Petr Cech for the Hull City clash. Arsene Wenger’s side were on the back foot for large periods of the game at Parc des Princes, but they will be up against different opposition this weekend and will certainly give their best to make it three Premier League wins in a row. However, given their sketchy form of late and Hull’s very good performances, we are not sure they will succeed in doing so.

Team News

Theo Walcott missed the PSG game through a knee problem and he is doubtful for the Hull City clash, but Olivier Giroud and Granit Xhaka should be recalled.

There is a chance that Aaron Ramsey will make a return from injury, but Gabriel Paulista, Per Mertesacker, Carl Jenkinson and Danny Welbeck remain in the treatment room.

Key Factors to Consider

• Hull scored one goal in last four matches vs Arsenal
• Arsenal won five straight away games against the Tigers
• Both teams scored in each of Arsenal’s last three fixtures
• The Gunners are unbeaten in last seven EPL games on the road (W2 D5)
• Hull scored in all but one game this term

Conclusion

Hull City have been in pretty good form and having made some decent signings of late, the Tigers have reason for optimism ahead of the Arsenal game. The Gunners, on the other hand, are definitely not in the best shape and with their forwards largely misfiring, we doubt they can extend the impressive run at KCOM Stadium.

Verdict: Hull +1 Asian handicap

Best Odds: 17/20

Bookmaker: bet365