Hull City host Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the Premier League on Boxing Day.
Hull City play the first of three Premier League games in a week starting on Boxing Day, as Manchester City roll up the KC Stadium.
The Tigers will be seeking a first win in seven, having taken just two points from a possible 18 over their last six league outings.
Hull City caretaker manager Mike Phelan
Mike Phelan’s men sit bottom of the table at Christmas, propping up the top-flight standings. Hull have lost their last two games on the bounce with away defeats to both Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United.
Pep Guardiola brings his Manchester City side to the KC, hot off the heels of a 2-1 over title rivals Arsenal last weekend. In that game, Raheem Sterling, ending his ten-game scoring drought, played the false number 9 role.
Having won their last two games, Manchester City will be looking to cling on the coat-tails of leaders Chelsea, with Antonio Conte’s Blues having opened up a seven point advantage at the top of the table.
Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling celebrates scoring their second goal with team mates
Manchester City will be aiming to erase memories of their last away defeat, when Leicester City caught the visitors off guard, as Claudio Ranieri’s sly foxes pounced for all the three points.
Hull and Manchester City have met eight times in the Premier League, with the Tigers having won on just a single occasion, back in February of 2010.
The last time the two sides met in the Premier League, Hull earned a creditable 1-1 draw in February 2015 at the Etihad, when a last-minute James Milner equaliser for City spared Manuel Pellegrini’s blushes.
Manchester City’s James Milner scores their first goal with a free kick
Hull City duo Josh Tymon and Ryan Mason are both injury doubts for the visit of Pep Guardiola’s men, whilst striker Abel Hernandez is a few weeks away from returning from a hernia.
Goalkeeper Allan McGregor and defender Alex Bruce are set to return in January, with Moses Odubajo and Will Keane long-term absentees.
Here is how Hull City may line up:
For Manchester City, Kun Agüero will serve his final game of a four-game ban, and Sterling could lead the line once more in his stead. Midfielder Fernandinho will, however, return from his ban.
Defender Pablo Zabaleta could miss the game with ligament trouble, but Vincent Kompany is definitely out with an on-going knee problem.
Fabian Delph is a continued absentee with a groin injury, whilst Ilkay Gundogan is out for the season.
Here is how Manchester City could line up:
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