'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQT/2gAIAQEAAAAAgP/EABQBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAX/2gAIAQIQAAAAK//EABQBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAP/2gAIAQMQAAAAb//EAB8QAQABAwQDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEDAAIEBxIiMjFBkf/aAAgBAQABPwCLT+EiicfKCIu5GxHb7fPbtUmnwyXMWZYRrxLrFQ+1/8QAFxEAAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMUUv/aAAgBAgEBPwC1+j//xAAWEQADAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAhP/2gAIAQMBAT8Amp//2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Kick-off time: 5:15 pm (IST), Saturday, 31st August
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
The early kick-off this weekend involves the newly promoted Hull City side travelling to the Etihad Stadium to take on EPL giants, Manchester City. The Blues from Manchester City come into this game under immense pressure to win, after a shock 3-2 defeat at the hands of minnows Cardiff City last weekend.
Touted as title challengers, Manuel Pelligrini’s men crumbled to defeat as the makeshift City defence was expertly taken apart by Cardiff. They host a Hull City team who have had a decent start with a couple of one goal wins against Norwich in the Premier League and Leyton Orient in the League Cup following the 2-0 loss at Stamford Bridge. This contrast in recent form and prowess between the two sides is sure to make for an interesting watch.
Recent League form
Manchester City: W L
Last Result: 3-2 loss at Cardiff City
Manuel Pelligrini has already begun facing the heat of the English Premier League. Last week’s loss, that sent his side to seventh place in the table, turns this into a must win game for City. Kompany’s absence has been a problem at the back for Pelligrini, one which was expertly exploited by Cardiff. Perhaps more worrying is their vulnerability against set pieces which can give Hull the much needed opening to get past the star studded defence.
With Matija Nastasic’s return not guaranteed, Javi Garcia might be played in the back line yet again. Alternatively, Pelligrini might opt for a change and choose to go with Micah Richards instead.
Hull City: L W
Last Result: 1-0 win at home against Norwich
Steve Bruce would have thoroughly studied Man City’s loss to Cardiff last weekend, and will look to exploit the same weaknesses in Pelligrini’s side that Cardiff did. Set pieces are sure to be on Steve Bruce’s mind as an effective way to test the Man City goal. Against a lethal attack like Man City’s, Bruce might shift to a more defensive formation instead of his conventional 3-5-2. How that fares against City’s attack will be interesting to see, given that Man City have scored in each of their previous 51 home league matches.
Having recovered well from their early loss at Chelsea, Hull have since recorded two wins, albeit against relatively weaker opponents. High on confidence and with little pressure to win, Hull can play with freedom and anything they get to take back from this fixture will be a reward for Steve Bruce’s men.
Injuries and Suspensions
Manchester City: Vincent Kompany, Stevan Jovetic.
Hull City: Yannick Sagbo, Stephen Quinn, Abdoulaye Faye
Head to Head
The two sides have faced each other four times in the Premier League with the last encounter going the way of Hull City who took the points with a 2-1 win in February 2010. That remains their only victory over Manchester City in the Premier League to date. The other three clashes have resulted in one win for the Manchester side and two draws.
Predicted Result:
As the last week’s loss to Cardiff showed, the new management is yet to settle in at the Etihad, and this instability provides a slight window of opportunity for the underdogs Hull to pull out an upset in what is a heavily one-sided match on paper. If the game pans out as expected, Manchester City should be comfortable winners with at least a two goal margin. I’ll go with a 3-1 win for the Blues from Manchester.
