Hull Cityvs.Portsmouth

Meanwhile, the visitors will be hoping to produce a positive response after losing back-to-back matches against Cardiff City and Sheffield Wednesday.

Match preview

Hull are sitting in 15th place in the Championship table after winning three, drawing five and losing four of their 12 matches.

After failing to win any of their first five league games this season, the Tigers went on to record three consecutive victories against Stoke City, Cardiff City and Queens Park Rangers.

Unfortunately for Hull, they have been unable to add to those three wins in recent weeks, having taken just two points from their last four outings.

Tim Walter's side lost back-to-back games against Norwich City and Sunderland without troubling the scorers, before playing out consecutive 1-1 draws against Burnley and Derby County.

As they turn their focus to Saturday's fixture, Hull will be concerned by the fact they have the division's third-worst home record after taking just six points from as many matches.

The Tigers will at least have fond memories of their most recent meeting with Portsmouth in January 2021 when they produced a free-scoring display to cruise to a 4-0 victory at Fratton Park.

Portsmouth are still struggling to adapt to life in the Championship after winning promotion from League One last season.

John Mousinho's side are languishing at the foot of the table after winning one, drawing five and losing six of their 12 league matches this season.

After failing to win any of their first nine league matches, Pompey finally got a win under their belts when they fought back from a goal down to beat QPR 2-1 at Loftus Road.

However, Portsmouth have failed to build upon that positive result, having fallen to back-to-back defeats, including a 2-0 loss on their most recent away clash against Cardiff City.

The South Coast were then beaten 2-1 in last Friday's home clash against Sheffield Wednesday despite the fact Connor Ogilvie gave his side a half-time lead.

With Pompey sitting four points adrift from safety, they will be desperate to take maximum points from Saturday's contest, and while they lost their most recent meeting with Hull, they can take confidence from the fact they won 2-0 in their last trip to the MKM Stadium in December 2020.

Hull City Championship form:

W

W

L

L

D

D

Hull City form (all competitions):

W

L

W

L

D

D

Portsmouth Championship form:

D

L

D

W

L

L

Team News

Hull recently confirmed that winger Liam Miller will miss the rest of the season after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the draw against Burnley.

Marvin Mehlem and Steven Alzate are both sidelined with calf issues, while Ryan Longman and Carl Rushworth are ruled out with shoulder and ankle injuries.

Abu Kamara registered 18 goal contributions in League One during a loan spell with Portsmouth last season, but the attacker will have no time for sentiment as he looks to get one over his former side when he features in the forward line on Saturday.

As for the visitors, they are expected to be without Ibane Bowat, Jordan Williams, Jacob Farrell, Conor Shaughnessy, Paddy Lane and Colby Bishop.

Nicolas Schmid has completed the concussion protocols and should start between the posts, while his fellow goalkeeper Will Norris is likely to be on the bench after recovering from a knee injury.

Australia international Kusini Yengi could be brought into the starting lineup after coming off the bench to play around half an hour against Sheffield Wednesday.

Hull City possible starting lineup:

Pandur; Coyle, Jones, Hughes, Drameh; Slater, Simons, Palmer; Belloumi, Kamara, Bedia

Portsmouth possible starting lineup:

Schmid; Devlin, Poole, McIntyre, Ogilvie; Dozzell, Potts; Lang, Saydee, Murphy; Yengi

We say: Hull City 2-1 Portsmouth

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