Hull City is looking a lot like last season’s version of Leicester City, who won the English Premier League, as the newly-promoted club is off to a 2-0 start in 2016/17 even though the odds say they’ll be relegated. Hull will be facing their stiffest test of the new campaign this Saturday, August 27th when they host fellow-2-0 team Manchester United at the KC Stadium. Hull is coming off of a win on the road against Exeter City in the League Cup on Tuesday.
Hull City vs Manchester United – 5Dimes Soccer Betting Line:
- Spread: Manchester United -1 (1.794), Hul City +1 (2.110)
- Money Line: 5Dimes currently lists Manchester United as the favorite to win the game at 1.485 with Hull 8.160 and a draw at 3.710
- Goals Scored: Over 2.5 (2.050), Under 2.5 (1.833)
5Dimes English Premier League Props:
- Manchester United Wins English Premier League: 3.600, Field Wins English Premier League: 1.313
- Chelsea Wins English Premier League: 5.750, Field Wins English Premier League: 1.154
- Arsenal Wins English Premier League: 11.000, Field Wins English Premier League: 1.067
Hull City vs Manchester United – Head to Head:
These two teams last met in the 2014/15 season with United winning 3-0 at home and the sides drawing 0-0 at Hull. The two clubs have met just 28 times in the past with United winning 19, losing five and drawing the other four. Hull’s last win was 2-0 at home in league action in November of 1974. They’re winless in the last 11 meetings with a draw and 10 defeats.
Hull City – A Closer Look:
Hull City won their second straight league game with a 2-0 win over Swansea City away at the Liberty Stadium last Saturday. Shaun Maloney scored the winner in the 79th minute and Abel Hernandez added an insurance marker in the second minute of injury time. The Tigers also pulled off an upset in their season opener by beating Leicester 2-1 at home. Adama Diomande opened the scoring for Hull just before halftime, but Riyad Mahrez leveled the game two minutes into the second half on a penalty kick. Hull then won it with a Robert Snodgrass goal in the 57th minute. Hull then downed League Two’s Exeter City 3-1 in the League Cup after falling behind. Diomande scored in the 26th and 77th minutes with Snodgrass adding one in the 81st. Hull enters the weekend with six points and four goals scored and just one allowed. They’re tied for first place with Man United, Man City and Chelsea.
Hull finished in fourth place in the second-tier Championship League last season with 83 points from 24 wins, 11 draws and 11 losses. They scored 69 goals and allowed 35 against. The club won promotion to the Premier League by winning the playoff final 1-0 against Sheffield Wednesday. The biggest news of the summer was the resignation of manager Steve Bruce just three weeks before the season’s kickoff. The team hasn’t named a permanent manager as of yet as Mike Phelan’s running it and that’s why they’ve been relatively inactive in the transfer window. However, Will Mannion was acquired from Wimbledon though while Sone Aluko and Ryan Taylor were both released and Mohamed Diame joined Newcastle United. On the injury front, defenders Alex Bruce, Michael Dawson and Moses Odubajo are all out with long-term injuries along with goalkeeper Allan McGregor.
Manchester United – A Closer Look:
Man United has also won both their matches for six points this season and a share of first place. They downed Southampton 2-0 at home at Old Trafford last Friday. Newly-signed Swedish international striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored both goals on penalty kicks in the 36th and 52nd minutes. The big striker now has three league goals on the season. United also won their opening game 3-1 on the road over Bournemouth with Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Ibrahimovic finding the mark. The big news at Old Trafford during the offseason was the hiring of manager Jose Mourinho of Portugal to replace former boss Louis van Gaal. Mourinho then acquired Ibrahimovic from Paris Saint Germain as well as Armenian international midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Borussia Dortmund and Ivory Coast defender Eric Bailly from Villarreal.
The biggest signing though was French international midfielder Paul Pogba from Italian champions Juventus for a world record fee of about 105 million euros. Left-back Luke Shaw is back after missing most of last season with a broken leg, but German international Bastian Schweinsteiger has been told by Mourinho that he doesn’t fit in his plans. United placed fifth in the Premier League last season with 66 points from 19 victories, nine draws and 10 defeats. They scored 49 goals and allowed 35 against. The team tied in points with fourth-place Manchester City, but City had a better goal difference. This enabled City to qualify for the European Champions League while United qualified for the second-tier Europa League. United enters the game at Hull with a healthy squad.
Hull City vs Manchester United – Takeaway:
Man United has to take all three points against teams such as Hull if they’re going to be a serious title challenger. Hull has started as well as could be, but will be happy to finish the season above the relegation zone.
English Premier League is BACK! Bet on Swansea City vs Hull City Aug 20th at 5Dimes online!
by Ian S. Palmer