Match Preview - Hull City v Manchester United

Competition: FA Barclays Premier League
Kick-Off & Date: 4pm, Sunday 27th December
Venue: KC Stadium (Hull City)
Live TV Coverage: Sky Sports 1 & HD 1, from 3:30pm until 6:30pm

Referee: Alan Wiley
Assistant referees: Andy Garratt & Shaun Procter-Green
Fourth Official: Martin Atkinson


Form: Hull City had a dreadful start to their season but look to be turning their season around, slowly. They've lost their last two, but against top-four club's - Arsenal and Aston Villa. Currently they are one off the bottom, in 19th place, with a game-in-hand. Hull have lost the last five games against United.

United lie 5 points off Chelsea, winning the game will bring them up to just 2 points off the summit. The Devils seem a bit off-pace after defeats to Aston Villa and Fulham in recent weeks, where they could easily have caught up to off-form Chelsea.


Injuries: Hull are without Jimmy Bullard and Ian Ashbee, who are both out with long-term knee ligament damage. 

The Devils have a dismal and depleted backline. Twins Rafael and Fabio Da Silva are both available. Nemanja Vidic and Wes Brown are on recovery and have a chance of being included. Gary Neville (groin) and Ryan Giggs (hamstring) will most likely be out, while Edwin van der Sar is still struggling with a knee injury.

Opposition Manager: Phil Brown, his job was under-threat last month, after a change of chairman, but his fans are loyal and his recent results look promising, with an unbeaten November. He first brought Hull into the Premier League and was then hailed for being able to keep them in the League last season.  

Most-Feared: Geovanni, Hull's finest by far. The dead ball expert has hit some magnificent strikes after being singed from Man City in 2008. United's make-shift defence will have to be at it's best to keep the Brazilian at bay.

Referee: Alan Wiley, the Staffordshire man is not on good-terms with Sir Alex after his recent touchline ban for comments made about Wiley's physical fitness. Alan Wiley was in charge of this fixture last season - on the final day of the Premier League in which United won 1-0.  


Today's Other Matches:
Arsenal v Aston Villa, 1:30pm - Emirates Stadium