[Image] Strongest 4-2-3-1 Hull City line-up to face Aston Villa in the EFL Championship

Predicted Hull City line-up to face Aston Villa in the EFL Championship

The new Championship season is underway but Hull City are scheduled to play on Monday evening when they host Steve Bruce’s Aston Villa.

The Tigers finished their 18^th on the Championship table last season, amassing 49 points. It was a season of real struggle for Nigel Adkins’s side but somehow, they managed to beat the drop.

Eleven players have departed the KCOM Stadium since last term and to date, only six fresh faces have been added by Hull this summer.

If Hull intend to enjoy a successful campaign, the start needs to be solid on Monday against Aston Villa.

Team News

Adkins has hinted that neither Jackson Irvine nor Kamil Grosicki will be rushed back for the first game against Aston Villa, although the duo is back in training with the Tigers.

Apart from Irvine and Grosicki, Ondrej Mazuch and James Weir (both knee injuries) are unavailable for the season opener.

Probable Hull City XI

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Manager: Nigel Adkins

David Marshall (GK)

Allan McGregor departed for Rangers earlier this summer and David Marshall should replace him as Hull’s first-choice goalkeeper.

Eric Lichaj (RB)

A summer recruit from Nottingham Forest, Eric Lichaj has gained tremendous experience playing in the Championship and that would undoubtedly help Hull in the upcoming season.

Jordy de Wijs (CB)

De Wijs is an old-school defender renowned for his strength in the air and willingness to put his body on the line. It will be interesting to see if the Dutchman manages to fill the void left by the influential Michael Dawson.

Reece Burke (CB)

After shipping so many goals in the 2017/18 campaign, Adkins has put special emphasis on shoring up his defence and has signed Reece Burke from West Ham. Burke could bring the solidity to Hull’s porous backline.

Stephen Kingsley (LB)

Kingsley endured a testing debut campaign with the Tigers as he was sidelined for most of the season with a groin injury. The upcoming season could be a glowing chance for him to make his mark.

Markus Henriksen (CM)

Henriksen will wear the captain’s armband for the upcoming campaign. The Norwegian was one of the shining lights for the Tigers towards the end of last season, leading by example to secure the club’s Championship status.

Kevin Stewart (CM)

Stewart didn’t exactly have a good debut season with the Tigers but will be itching to make his mark this term. He could be in for a big role in the heart of the Hull midfield.

Jarrod Bowen (RW)

Bowen produced a superb season, scoring 15 goals in all competitions last term. At just 21 years of age, he is only going to get better and should be the talisman for Adkins’ side again.

Jon Toral (CAM)

The 23-year-old midfielder could be a man to watch out for this season but he needs to bring consistency to his game if he intends to succeed at Hull.

Read more: Who is this young prodigy that Hull City are targeting? Next big talent from Man City’s academy?

David Milinkovic (LW)

Milinkovic could be the player to brings the ‘X’ factor to Hull’s play, with his creative abilities and flair very much capable of terrorising Championship defenders.

Fraizer Campbell (ST)

A tenacious, hard-working and a reliable player, Campbell should lead the attack against Aston Villa.