Predicted Hull City Lineup vs Stoke

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Hull City travel to struggling Stoke City this evening in the EFL Cup, and both managers are expected to rotate their teams.

Markus Henriksen in action for Norway

A cold and (possibly) wet Wednesday night in Stoke awaits Hull City’s summer signings, who will be desperate to impress caretaker manager Mike Phelan. The Premier League’s August Manager of the Month showed he is reluctant to make wholesale changes in the cup when the Tigers traveled to Exeter, but we think this time could be a little different.

Phelan is now a man with some options, and can rotate without being forced to play academy players. What’s more, Hull went into the Exeter game following surprise back-to-back wins, whilst they head to Stoke on the back of a trio of results which read loss, draw, loss.

They may have been to Manchester United, Burnley away and Arsenal, but there is certainly scope for those who are currently out of the team to force their way in now. We are predicting 8 changes from the Hull City caretaker manager, including 5 summer signings and 2 debutants.

David Marshall is likely to come in for Eldin Jakupovic

Goalkeeper: David Marshall

The question of Jakupovic or Marshall is one which divides opinion in East Yorkshire. Cardiff City fans have nothing but praise for Scotland’s number one, but many Hull City fans feel Jakupovic has been very good in the early parts of the season. Up against Stoke this evening, Phelan will almost certainly give his new recruit a debut and a chance to shine.

Right-Back: Ahmed Elmohamady

The only real alternative to Ahmed Elmohamady is Josh Clackstone, and one gets the impression that Mike Phelan doesn’t quite feel he is ready for first team action just yet. Luckily for him, Elmohamady has proved during his time at Hull that he is superhuman, and three games in a week should be no problem for the tireless Egyptian.

Centre-Back: Curtis Davies

Captain fantastic; Curtis Davies has made a miraculous start to the season, and is statistically the best defender in Europe so far in this campaign. Phelan would probably like the chance to give Davies a rest, but his squad does not permit him the luxury to do so.

Centre-Back: Harry Maguire

Harry Maguire probably would have started this game anyway, but the harsh dismissal of Jake Livermore at the weekend makes it a certainty. The powerful centre-back who has a lot of ability with the ball at his feet has never really put a foot wrong in a Hull City shirt, but just struggled due to the impressive performances of others in his position.

Left-Back: Josh Tymon

Josh Tymon could be in line for his fourth appearance for Hull City

Mike Phelan showed away at Exeter that, just like Steve Bruce, Josh Tymon is one of the Hull City youngsters who he feels is ready to be integrated into the first team. The 17-year-old England youth international will most likely make his fourth Hull City appearance tonight, allowing Andy Robertson some rest ahead of the weekends trip to Liverpool.

Defensive Midfield: Tom Huddlestone

There is a chance Mike Phelan will drop Tom Huddlestone and play all three new central midfielders; James Weir, Ryan Mason and Markus Henriksen. We think he’ll stick with one of the stalwarts though, and we expect that to be Huddlestone. The 29-year-old’s place in the team could be at risk for Saturday’s game against Liverpool anyway, and he should bring a calmness to a very new looking Hull City XI.

Central Midfield: Ryan Mason

Hull City’s record signing has to start a game sooner or later, and after two cameo appearances against Burnley and Arsenal, we’d be very surprised if he didn’t start the game tonight. The England international made an impressive assist against the Gunners at the weekend and will be hoping he can put in a performance tonight that will justify a start against Liverpool.

Central Midfield: Markus Henriksen

Henriksen during his time at Rosenberg

The Hull City fans who travel to Stoke tonight will be very excited about seeing this man in action. A self-proclaimed box-to-box midfielder who scored an incredible 19 goals last season, Henriksen has the potential to be a huge player for the Tigers.

Left Forward: Will Keane

There’s a possibility Mike Phelan will alter Hull City’s formation for this game, and if he goes for this starting XI, a 4-1-2-1-2 would be the best approach. However, we think he may stick with his 4-3-3 and shoe-horn players into that setup. Will Keane made his debut as a sub away at Burnley, and we think he’ll be given a first start at the Bet365 stadium tonight.

Right Forward: Shaun Maloney

The man who would be at the apex of a midfield diamond in a 4-1-2-1-2, Maloney will have to play wide right if Phelan sticks to a 4-3-3. The little Scot made a huge impact from the bench against Swansea, getting a goal and an assist, and will welcome the chance to impress from the start of a game.

Centre-Forward: Dieumerci Mbokani

Mbokani won Hull City a penalty against Arsenal

Dieumerci Mbokani put in a very promising cameo performance against Arsenal on his debut, winning a penalty and worrying Arsene Wenger’s defence with his pace, power and directness. This game is the perfect opportunity for Mbokani to increase his fitness and possibly force Mike Phelan into handing him a league start against Liverpool.

How will Hull City get on against Stoke this evening?