Hull City v Bournemouth: Underdogs can trouble inconsistent Cherries

Simon Mail
13 January 2017

Marco Silva won his first match in charge of Hull last weekend in the FA Cup against Swansea

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Simon Mail expects bottom side Hull to cause problems for Bournemouth in Marco Silva's first league game in charge...

"Bournemouth have scored in nine of their last ten league games with only Chelsea keeping them out. But the Cherries have kept just two clean sheets in their last nine matches so they do have their weaknesses defensively."

Hull 3.412/5 v Bournemouth 2.3211/8; The Draw 3.55/2
Saturday, 15:00

Hull

New Hull boss Marco Silva faces a monumental task in trying to help the side avoid relegation. The Tigers are bottom of the Premier League with only 13 points from 20 games. Silva was brought in to replace the sacked Mike Phelan with Hull without a league victory in nine games. Their chances have not been helped by a spate of injuries which have decimated the team particularly the defence.

Hull's performances have actually been encouraging despite the results with the side's weaknesses in both boxes hurting them. Silva's first match in charge resulted in a 2-0 FA Cup win over Swansea before City were beaten by the same scoreline at Manchester United in their EFL Cup semi-final. It was a dogged performance but it remains to be seen how much it has taken out of a depleted side going into this vital league clash.

Bournemouth

The Cherries only have the league to worry about after a much-changed side crashed out of the FA Cup losing 3-0 at League One Millwall. Eddie Howe failed to get a performance from his squad players but his team have already established a comfortable position in ninth place in their second season in the Premier League.

Bournemouth's best form has been at the Vitality Stadium where they have won five times in the league and should have beaten Arsenal in their last match - squandering a 3-0 lead late on in the 3-3 draw. The Cherries have been less convincing away from home though with six defeats having conceded 19 goals in ten matches.

Match Odds

Hull are the outsiders to win this match at 3.412/5 and it is easy to see why considering their form this season. City have only won three matches in the league although they will see this as a key game with fixtures against Chelsea, Liverpool and Man United around the corner. Silva's arrival could give them a lift but there is not quite enough value to tempt a bet on them.

Bournemouth are the favourites for the game but their odds of 2.3411/8 fail to excite. The Cherries have only won one of their last four league matches and have struggled on the road with just two victories. Bournemouth did thrash Hull 6-1 earlier this season but a repeat is not expected and the Tigers have lost just one of their last seven home games.

The draw is on offer at 3.55 and deserves consideration. Four of Hull's last six home matches in all competitions have ended in draws so this is arguably the best value of the three options. But only one of Bournemouth's last 12 games have ended level so Howe's side tend to produce decisive results.

Both teams to score

Bournemouth have scored in nine of their last ten league games with only Chelsea keeping them out. But the Cherries have kept just two clean sheets in their last nine matches so they do have their weaknesses defensively. Hull have found the net in six of their last seven games at home and will fancy their chances of scoring against this weekend's opponents. It may be asking too much for the hosts to win but backing both teams to score is a confident bet at 1.784/5.

Ref Watch

Martin Atkinson takes charge of this clash with the referee only sending off one player in 19 matches this season. This was the same number of red cards he handed out in 46 matches during the previous campaign.

Opta Stat

Robert Snodgrass has been directly involved in nine of Hull's 17 Premier League goals this season scoring seven times. The Scotland international is available at 2.8615/8 to net this weekend.

Recommended Bet

Back both teams to score at 1.784/5

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Follow Simon's bets on Twitter @watfordtipster