Show/hide article…
Hull could have winger Robert Snodgrass available when they host Southampton at the KCOM after he recovered from an ankle injury earlier than expected.
The Scotland international was initially ruled out for up to a month after suffering the injury in late October but returned to training on Friday and could be in contention. Forward Dieumerci Mbokani is also available after he recovered from a hamstring injury.
Southampton, meanwhile, have no fresh injury worries following their famous Europa League win over Inter Milan.
Hull duo Allan McGregor (back) and Brian Lenihan (knee) have returned to training but this match will come too soon for the pair to return.
Andrew Robertson (calf), Moses Odubajo (fractured kneecap) and Alex Bruce (Achilles) remain sidelined. Adama Diomande misses out through suspension.
Saints striker Charlie Austin, defender Ryan Bertrand, midfielders Sofiane Boufal and Steven Davis were all on the bench on Thursday night, so could come back into contention.
Defender Cedric Soares is stepping up his rehabilitation from a foot problem, while striker Shane Long, defender Matt Targett and goalkeeper Alex McCarthy all have hamstring injuries and defender Jeremy Pied remains out following knee surgery.
Hull have lost all four of their previous Premier League meetings with Southampton - the only side they’ve lost 100 per cent of their Premier League games against that they’ve played more than once.
Saints have won their last six league games against Hull, since a 5-0 loss in the Championship in March 2008.
Only twice have Southampton had longer winning streaks in league competition than they currently do against Hull City - eight vs Newport County (1922-1955) and seven vs Crystal Palace (2009-2015).
Dusan Tadic has created 28 goalscoring chances this season - only Dimitri Payet has created more (33). However, Southampton are yet to score a goal from a chance created by the Serbian this season.
Hull City are currently on a run of six successive defeats in the Premier League - they haven’t lost seven league games in a row since October 1980 in the third tier.
Hull have scored three goals in their last six Premier League games, one fewer than Charlie Austin in his last six Premier League appearances (4).
Southampton have conceded just four goals in their last six Premier League matches, while opponents Hull City have conceded 20 in the same period.
Southampton were made to look very ordinary at Chelsea, but Hull are struggling badly. They can’t score a goal or win a game and I can’t see anything but a Southampton win here.
It’s a good thing Hull got off to such a good start or they’d be dead and buried by now, they’d be below Sunderland. Southampton are a good team and seventh or eighth will be a very good season for them.
Charlie Austin struggled last week but some games you have to write off and I think he’ll be back on the scoresheet.
Hull head into Sunday’s top-flight encounter with Southampton on the back of six straight top-flight defeats and can be backed at 17/4 with Sky Bet to hit back with a victory. The Saints came from a goal down to beat Inter Milan on Thursday night and are odds-on favourites (7/10) to come away from the KCOM Stadium with all three points.
Charlie Austin, a second-half substitute in midweek, is expected to be restored to the visitors’ starting team and he’s 7/2 to open the scoring 11/2 to grab two or more. Southampton finished sixth last season and are 20/1 for a top-four finish following a bright start to life under Claude Puel.
Go to the original article…
...abstinently carved by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!
| 
| 
“They showed big desire.”
| 
| 
| 
| 