Hull City vs Arsenal Preview
Another important game for the gunners. And another chance for Hull City to shock the world and maybe eliminate the opponents this time. Arsenal are coming into this game on the back of an impressive 2-2 draw away at White Hart Lane and Hull City are coming into this match on the back of a 1-0 loss away to Birmingham City. This is a replay of the same tie after the first leg finished 0-0 at The Emirates. Arsenal want to defend their title and would try to leave no stones unturned when they travel to the Kingston Communications Stadium.
Both teams have a very difficult phase going on right now with Hull having won only one game out of their last five games and Arsenal having won zero games out of their last five. Both the teams would try to give their best and win the game and thereby proceed to the next round of the competition.
Team news:
Good news for Hull is that Robert Snodgrass is looking fit and raring to go. The Scotland International who came back from injury a couple of days ago played the whole match against Birmingham City and is expected to start in the Arsenal match as well. Hull City will try to start Diame as well and maybe bring on Nick Powell in the second half for him just like they did in the last match.
Arsenal go into the derby with the same injured players as they had before the Spurs game. Peter Cech, who has been their best player this season, is still out injured with a groin injury and defender Laurent Koscielny is still expected to be out for another week. According to Wenger, Cech still has another 2-3 weeks to recover. However, the Frenchman is not worried about his goalkeeping options as he continues to express his trust in Colombian David Ospina.
Probable starting lineups:
Hull City: A. McGregor, C. Davies, A. Robertson, M. Dawson, S. Clucas, M. Diame, A. El Mohamady, R. Snodgrass, T. Huddlestone, J. Livermore, A. Hernandez
Arsenal: D. Ospina, N. Monreal, G. Paulista, P. Mertesacker, H. Bellerin, A. Ramsey, M. Flamini, A. Sanchez, M. Ozil, D. Welbeck, M. Elneny
Form guide: Last five games (Right most game being the last one played)
Hull City: D D W D L
Arsenal: D L L L D
Prediction:
Even though Arsenal were held to a goalless draw at home the last time around, that doesn’t seem the most likely outcome of the coming match. Arsenal showed an impressive spirit against Tottenham in the last match coming back from behind that too with ten men on the field. They would be expecting to carry on the fine form in this match and get the win to move into the next round. In the last five head to head, there have been two draws and three wins for the gunners. The bookies have made Arsenal favourite to win this tie and I too believe they will get at least a 0-2 win this match. There is a lot to play for in this match and let’s hope it’s a cracker of a game.
TV Schedule (India & UK)
UK- BT Sport 1 will telecast the game live.
In India, it will be live on Sony Six and Six HD (Mar 9, 12.30 AM)
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