A Premier League game rescheduled as a result of an FA Cup meeting kicks off today. Hull City is fighting for their lives in the top division, and will make a stand at KC Stadium when they host Liverpool today.
The Tigers secured a crucial 3 points at Selhurst Park on the weekend with a 2-0 away win over Crystal Palace. The win was only the third away win of the season for Hull, and allowed the club to remain outside of relegation. A win at home today will bump the club four points ahead of relegation with only four games remaining in the season.
But the club will be facing a tried and tested Liverpool squad, fresh off a disappointing draw with West Brom last weekend. The Reds are seven points clear of a qualifying spot for the Champions League, but a win for their side will narrow the gap to four points behind Manchester United, after the Red Devils were handed a 3-0 loss by Everton on the weekend.
The record between the two sides suggests Liverpool has the odds to win this meeting. In seven Premier League meetings between the Reds and the Tigers, Hull has only one win to their record compared to three wins for Liverpool – the remaining three games were draws.
A draw today will do little to help either side. Liverpool will remain six points out of a Champions League qualifier, which lowers the odds that the club can slide ahead of United on the league table.
A draw will also leave Hull only two points clear of relegation, while rivals Leicester City and Sunderland each hold games in hand over the Tigers. The Black Cats are currently in relegation position and an extra win for Sunderland could shift Hull down to the bottom three on the table with QPR and Burnley.
While it may not be the favoured game of the week, this is an important fixture between two sides betting on bright futures next season. Which side will come out ahead?