Official StokeMAD Match Preview: Hull v Stoke

Last updated : 08 November 2009 By Dan Buxton

The Potters travel to Hull this weekend in a game between two sides that have become rivals during the recent past, well with the fans anyway.

Stoke proudly sit 9th in the Premier League and are looking for back to back top flight away wins for the first time since September 1982. Hull, on the other hand, have had a tough start and are currently 19th in the Premier League with manager Phil Brown reportedly close to the axe.

Stoke picked up their first away win this season last time out at Tottenham, and have only lost one of their five away games in the league this term, at Liverpool in August. Last weeks draw with Wolves means the Potters are on a run of four league games unbeaten. Hull are struggling down in the bottom three but have seen former chairman Adam Pearson return to the club this week and they are hoping that will lift the KC for Sunday's ecnounter. Lost 2-0 to Burnley last weekend.

In the 27 matches between these sides with Hull at home, the Potters have won 10, the hosts 10 and 7 have been drawn. Last seasons clash at the KC saw Stoke win 2-1, a result which ended a run of four successive 1-1 draws between these two sides. Overall Hull have won 16 times to the Potters 24.

Mike Dean is taking charge of Saturdays game. He refereed the Potters in their dramatic last ditch defeat at home to Chelsea in September but hasn't reffed Hull yet this season.

The Met Office report that there will be overcast conditions, with drizzly spells, temperatures of 10 degrees celsius, very good visibility and a light 10mph breeze.

Prediction: A scrappy, tense game goes the way of Stoke with Fuller and Etherington netting during the second half.