Hull City vs Manchester United: Defensive concerns
Hull dropped into the relegation zone overnight and face a Manchester United side looking to close in on leaders Chelsea.
Hull were passed on Boxing Day by West Ham and Bolton and with the worst goal difference in the division (even Wigan, despite their 9-1 loos at Tottenham have a better goal difference) will not appreciate playing a Manchester United side that is only one goal shy of being the most prolific team on the road. Hull haven't scored a goal since Jimmy Bullard got injured and with Mark Hughes now dealt with Phil Brown is the bookies favourite in the sack race. It won't take too many more poor results, given the reshaped board, to see him justify his favouritism.
Manchester United's defensive injuries are starting to ease and they may be able to field four genuine defenders for the first time in a month. In that time United have lost, badly, twice but won every other game by at least two goals - so their form is more than a little unpredictable. With Chelsea drawing and Arsenal and Villa playing each other - there is only one manager likely to want to sing if United win 1-0 this time.
Hull City vs Manchester United; Kick Off 4:00pm 27 Dec 2009
Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).
Dave Blackburn : 0 - 3
Chris Cox : 1 - 2
Graham Enwright : 1 - 2
Sue Gardener : 0 - 2
Chris Goodwin : 1 - 2
Paul Grech (sqf) : TBC
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 1 - 2
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : TBC
Peter Lee : 0 - 1
Don McMahon : 0 - 2
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 0 - 2
Paul O'Meara (sqf) : TBC
Dave Nash : 0 - 3
Stephen Orford (sqf) : TBC
Tony Ratton : 1 - 2
Peter Rendle : 0 - 3
Dan Taylor : 1 - 3
Andy Wakeman : 1 - 3
Isaac Williams : 0 - 1
Mark Williams : 1 - 1
Panel Verdict
The panel is expecting a Manchester Ubited win - with 2-1 being the most popular prediction.
Home: 0; Draw: 1; Away: 15; TBC: 4.
* 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!
