Will Hull again appreciate home comforts against Everton?
This is Hull's third consectutive home league game, and gives the club the chance to draw level with Everton on 15 points.
Hull's last two home games have seen the east Yorkshire side beat Stoke 2-1 and draw 3-3 with West Ham - after being behind in both games. In the second half of last season Hull rarely came back from behind, so getting results from losing positions in consecutive games is clear evidence that Hull is capable of scoring goals and a fighting spirit has returned; clear pointers to the board of directors that seemed ready to sack Phil Brown a couple of weeks ago. A win would push Hull up to 15 points - four points above the relegation zone.
Everton start the game four points above the relegation zone and ten points below fourth place - so a win would place the Merseyside club exactly halfway between heaven and hell in tenth place. But with a hugely depleted squad weakened by suspension to Fellaini and Bilyaletdinov added to injuries to Anichebe, Arteta, Jagielka, Neville, Pienaar and Vaughan - it is fair to say that Everton is missing half of its first choice team. One win in nine games is not ideal form to take to a team that is fighting for its manager - Everton may not be too disappointed with a draw.
Hull City vs Everton; Kick Off 7:45pm 25 Nov 2009
Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).
Dave Blackburn : 0 - 2
Chris Cox : 2 - 1
Graham Enwright : 0 - 1
Sue Gardener : TBC
Chris Goodwin : 0 - 2
Paul Grech (sqf) : TBC
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 2 - 2
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : TBC
Peter Lee : 1 - 1
Don McMahon : 1 - 2
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 0 - 1
Paul O'Meara (sqf) : 1 - 2
Dave Nash : 0 - 0
Stephen Orford (sqf) : TBC
Tony Ratton : 1 - 3
Peter Rendle : 1 - 1
Dan Taylor : 1 - 3
Andy Wakeman : 2 - 1
Isaac Williams : TBC
Mark Williams : 1 - 1
Panel Verdict
The panel is expecting a narrow Everton win possibly 1-0.
Home: 2; Draw: 5; Away: 8; TBC: 5.
* Do we have it right, or do you know better? Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!
