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Match preview - Hull vs. Tottenham - Spurs look for early season momentum
Perennial slow starters Tottenham gave their fans an early season treat with victory over Liverpool in their first home game, and Harry Redknapp will want his team to build on that with three points at Hull. The Tigers, on the other hand, were defeated at Chelsea, albeit thanks to a rather fortunate late effort from Didier Drogba. Phil Brown’s side need to turn the KC - where they were woeful last season - into the proverbial fortress if they are to avoid a relegation battle. One of many home defeats in their debut Premier League campaign was to Spurs, the visitors coming away with a 2-1 win. The two sides met as recently as last month, in the Asia Cup, with Tottenham once again dominant, winning 3-0.
Hull Expect the Tigers to be more attacking than they were at Chelsea as they will want to get their season up and running with victory in front of their home support. Caleb Folan put in a decent shift up front on his own at Stamford Bridge, and should lead the line again. Phil Brown has a number of options to provide support, and will have to choose between new signings Ghilas and Altidore, as well as last season’s top goalscorer, Geovanni, who started on the bench on Saturday. Dean Marney picked up an injury in that opening game, meaning Boateng and Olofinjana will probably start together in midfield, allowing Stephen Hunt and Bernard Mendy license to get forward on the wings while they protect the back four. Meanwhile, that back-line should remain unchanged after performing well in London.
1 Myhill
19 Mouyokolo - 5 Gardner - 6 Turner - 3 Dawson
15 Mendy - 20 Boateng - 44 Olofinjana - 11 Hunt
18 Folan - 23 Ghilas
Tottenham - An impressive opening day performance against Liverpool will have given the Spurs players a confidence boost, and Redknapp may be tempted to field an unchanged side for the visit to Hull. The biggest decision will be whether or not to risk playing club captain Ledley King, who so famously trains predominantly on his own during the week to prevent over-exhaustion. He quickly struck up an understanding with new signing Sebastien Bassong however, and Redknapp will be reluctant to split them up. Up front Tottenham have an array of talent, and they may choose to utilise this - particularly because Robbie Keane was so inefficient against his former club on Sunday. Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch know each other’s games from their time together with Portsmouth and England, and may be preferred for this game. Expect an unchanged midfield four.
1 Gomes
22 Corluka - 26 King - 19 Bassong - 32 Assou-Ekoto
7 Lennon - 12 Palacios - 6 Huddlestone - 14 Modric
18 Defoe - 15 Crouch
Tottenham will start favourites in this match, having impressively seen off Rafa Benitez’s title-challenging Liverpool in their opening game. Hull’s home form must drastically improve, and this will be a tough early test of their credentials. The first goal will be crucial, and if the home side can strike first then they may be able to push on to victory. However, with the undeniable talent in the London side, this is easier said than done, and the Tigers will realistically be happy with a point. If Spurs claim the opening goal this will give them a huge psychological advantage, as Hull heads may slump. The game should be closer than the Asia Cup clash, with City having added new faces since, but the smart money will probably be on Spurs making it two victories from two.
Week 2 match previews
Sunderland vs. Chelsea
Wigan vs. Wolves
Burnley vs. Manchester United
Liverpool vs. Stoke
Hull vs. Tottenham
Birmingham vs. Portsmouth
See the full list of OLBG's free Football Tips here.
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