Manchester City v Hull: Team news, predictions & odds

The game kicks off at 1500 GMT at the Etihad Stadium.

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Manchester City v Hull City: Our prediction 

Our David John writes... Walter Mazzarri was hailing some of the best football his Watford side produced in midweek and Hull counterpart Marco Silva was singing the praises of his players after they impressively swept Middlesbrough aside.

They climbed out of the relegation places for the first time since October but the manner with which they did it was outstanding with four goals and some quality football along the way.

There is still a long way to go but the mood seems very positive at the moment under the Portuguese supremo and if they can eke out anything from this fixture as 18/1 chances, it would be a further shot in the arm.

Hull’s away record though has been as abysmal as their home form excellent but they face a City side at the Etihad Stadium coming to terms with a stark reality which sees them 14 points behind Chelsea following a 2-1 midweek loss at Stamford Bridge. 

They had more than one chance to get something from the game after falling behind but Pep Guardiola has now lowered his first-season sights to pursuing a Champions League place with the FA Cup still up for grabs as well. 

It would seem inconceivable Hull’s pitiful away form could be boosted in this fixture but it is not utterly beyond the realms of possibility – Silva is already proving himself a master when it comes to organisation while his team’s current confidence will count for plenty.

Both teams to score would probably be my tentative selection if having a wager but surely Pep won’t let standards slip to such a degree that they can’t put the Tigers away with some comfort.   

 Prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Hull City

Manchester City v Hull City: Opta facts 

Manchester City have been beaten just once in nine previous Premier League games against Hull City, a 1-2 loss in February 2010 (W5 D3). 

Hull City’s last win in any competition away at Manchester City was in the FA Cup in February 1930, drawing three and losing seven since then. 

Since picking up three points in their first away game of the season (2-0 at Swansea City), Hull have won just two points in 14 Premier League away games since (W0 D2 L12). 

The Tigers have scored just two goals in their last 11 Premier League away games, despite attempting 114 shots (41 on target). 

Manchester City have lost only one of their last 17 Premier League games at the Etihad Stadium (W9 D7 L1), with that defeat coming at the hands of league leaders Chelsea in December. 

Sergio Aguero has scored 25 goals in his last 30 Premier League appearances at the Etihad Stadium. He averages a goal every 99 minutes on home soil in the Premier League. 

Aguero has scored nine goals in his last nine appearances for Manchester City in all competitions. 

Manchester City could draw three consecutive Premier League home games for the second time this season under Pep Guardiola. They never drew three in a row under Manuel Pellegrini or Roberto Mancini.  

Since Marco Silva was appointed Hull manager on January 5th, the Tigers have won 17 points in the Premier League – only Chelsea (23), Spurs (23) and Everton (21) have won more in this period. This is one more than Manchester City (16) since then, but they have played one more game. 

Pep Guardiola has suffered six league defeats as Manchester City boss this season - his highest tally in a single league season as a manager.  

Manchester City v Hull City: Sky Bet odds

Manchester City are just 1/5 with Sky Bet to secure the victory as Hull go up against odds of 12/1 for the win, while the draw is priced at 11/2. Pep Guardiola’s men have, however, been written off in the title race at 150/1 following their loss at Chelsea, while the Tigers drifted out to 11/8 to face relegation following Wednesday’s win over Middlesbrough. Sergio Aguero is the 9/4 favourite in the first goalscorer betting and is just 4/1 for a hat-trick, while Oumar Niasse is considered the visitors’ main threat at 12/1 to net first.   

Click for Sky Bet's Manchester City v Hull City odds!

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Manchester City v Hull City: Team news 

Manchester City have no fresh injury concerns.

Defender Vincent Kompany and midfielder Fabian Delph, however, will both be assessed after returning to action following long absences in the midweek loss at Chelsea.

Right-back Bacary Sagna (groin) and striker Gabriel Jesus (foot) are not yet ready to return while midfielder Ilkay Gundogan (knee) is out for the remainder of the season.

Hull will be without injured centre-half Harry Maguire for their Premier League game at Manchester City.

Maguire sustained a knee injury that is not expected to keep him out for long in the midweek win against Middlesbrough and will be replaced by either Michael Dawson or Curtis Davies.

Striker Abel Hernandez has recovered from a dead leg, but midfielder Tom Huddlestone serves the final game of his three-match ban and right-back Omar Elabdellaoui is still struggling with a back problem.

Hull (from): Jakupovic, Marshall, Robertson, Davies, Dawson, Ranocchia, Elmohamady, Evandro, Meyler, Henriksen, Grosicki , Hernandez, Diomande, N'Diaye, Clucas, Markovic, Maloney, Niasse, Tymon.

Manchester City v Hull City: Manager quotes   

Pep Guardiola (Manchester City)

On a tough first season in charge: "My feeling is during the season we made really good things. I was expecting from the beginning of the season to fight for the Premier League until the end. Okay we are a little bit disappointed, but I quite happy with the way we made good things in this season.

"Of course we are not stable in other things. We want to improve for this part of the season and especially for next season."

On Champions League qualification: "Now the situation is clear. Eight games left in the league to qualify for the first four and the semi-final of the FA Cup and that is our target for the end of the season. We'll try to win as many as possible."

Marco Silva (Hull City)

On future at the club: "At this moment I have a deal with our chairman and it's clear, we have only one focus - to keep the club in the Premier League.

"Me and the players as well, and all the club, this is most important. At the end of the season we will talk, sure.

"But at this moment all of us are focusing on our goal.

"You never know what's going to happen, not just after two months, but tomorrow, you never know what's going to happen," he added.

"What I know is that this afternoon I will prepare my players and I have one deal with the club.

"I came here with big motivation to work and help our players to improve, to keep us altogether at the club and fight until the end of the season.

"All these questions are important, but we have one goal which is more important than the others.

"First is the club and what is important to keep the club in the Premier League, and after we will have time to talk about the other situations."