Tigers out of their depth on Premier League return
Click here for Hull v Man Utd odds
Saturday 22 August, 12:30 kick-off
Live on TNT Sports 1
Hull only stayed in the Championship on goal difference a couple of season's ago, now they're back in the Premier League after a remarkable turnaround led to play-off promotion - and they'll kick-off in style against Manchester United at home on Saturday lunchtime.
The Tigers aren't expected to enjoy their first Premier League campaign in a decade though as Hull are 1/81.12 favourites for relegation, while they're 8/19.00 to beat Man Utd in the league for the first time since 1974.
They certainly have the profile of strugglers - finishing sixth in the Championship by well overperforming on their xG data while unlike Coventry and Ipswich they've a manager in Sergej Jakirovic with no Premier League experience. Hull have also spent much less than the two other promoted sides this summer.
So it'll be a tough season but could the party atmosphere of their first home game back catch Michael Carrick's Red Devils a bit cold? The bookies don't think so as Man Utd are 4/111.36 to win at the MKM Stadium.
United are unbeaten when facing newly-promoted sides in their Premier League season openers - winning nine and drawing three - but Hull even getting a point isn't expected with the draw being priced up at 4/15.00.
Carrick's squad remains reasonably settled, Casemiro leaving is a miss in midfield but Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and especially Carlos Baleba if it happens should improve their weak point in the engine room. And up front they'll have far too much quality for the newcomers.
Hull have big injury problems too and Oli McBurnie aside there doesn't look like enough cutting edge to really trouble the visitors, even though the energy and atmosphere could make it uncomfortable at least in the early stages.
With United such big favourites the real decision here is whether Hull can score or not - I'm not convinced they've got the firepower but I'm not overly convinced on United's defence either, so I'll back the Tigers to at least get a consolation given in these early season games the newly promoted sides will never give up.
Back Man United to win and both teams to score
Read Mark Stinchcombe's Saturday Premier League tipsheet
Back Mbeumo & Bruno in huge 66/167.00 special
Benjamin Sesko is unlikely to feature having only just returned to training, so Bryan Mbeumo at 6/42.50 and Matheus Cunha at 8/52.60 are the leading anytime goalscorer favourites for Man Utd.
Bruno Fernandes is 21/103.10 to score anytime, and a shorter price at 11/102.11 to provide an assist again after setting a Premier League record with 21 last season.
You'd have to fancy a few fouls and cards in this one, as happens in opening games involving hungry newly promoted sides in a live TV game at home.
Matt Crooks is 4/111.36 for 2+ fouls and McBurnie is 4/51.80 and he would get my vote give his all-action style and after 18 games with multiple fouls last season. That one's great Bet Builder fodder.
OddsBoost wise, Mbeumo and Amad Diallo at 1/12.00 to both have just 1+ shot on target looks a big player, while Mbeumo to score 2+ goals is a lively runner at 10/111.00.
It looks outrageous to back a 66/167.00 shot but there's a Match Stat Special that caught my eye that offers that very price on Mbeumo and Fernandes to both have 2+ shots on target and both to be fouled 2+ times each.
This actually almost landed in the opening game of last season against Arsenal, with just Fernandes' shots on target letting it down - but Hull are certainly no Arsenal and last season faced the third-most shots in the Championship (681).
I don't see fouls as the issue, Mbeumo was fouled multiple times in eight games last season, and Fernandes in eight of his first 10 league games! They're stand-out threats for United against a hungry Hull side so they'll get some treatment early on.
Fernandes hitting the target twice is the concern, but this looks a great chance for him against a far inferior side, so we'll try and start the season with a bang and land a huge one with a value play worth a small stakes investment.
Back Mbeumo/Fernandes 2+ shots on target and fouled 2+times each