Hull City vs Sunderland. Premier League.
MKM StadiumAttendance22,480.
Saturday 6 May 2017 13:59, UK
David Moyes has vowed to field his best XI as already-relegated Sunderland travel to Hull in the Premier League on Saturday.
The Black Cats will play their football in the Sky Bet Championship next season after last weekend's loss to Bournemouth confirmed their demotion, but Moyes has said he will not be holding back when choosing his team.
The Scot also confirmed at his press conference on Friday that he will be staying on as Sunderland manager next season as the club look for an instant return to the Premier League.
In contrast, the Tigers still have it all to play for at the bottom of the table, currently sitting two points above the drop zone ahead of Swansea.
Manager Marco Silva will be hoping for another unbeaten game at the KCOM Stadium where Hull are yet to lose a match under his guidance, having won eight and drawn one since his arrival at the start of January.
Sunderland will have Sebastian Larsson back after suspension with Jason Denayer, Lee Cattermole, Darron Gibson, Steven Pienaar and Jack Rodwell all working back to fitness.
However, Paddy McNair and Duncan Watmore (both knee) are long-term absentees.
Hull boss Silva does not expect any new injury concerns for Saturday's game. Omar Elabdellaoui has returned to training following a back problem, but is not expected to return to the first team reckoning for at least another week.
Dieumerci Mbokani could come back into contention after a hamstring problem, but Ryan Mason, Moses Odubajo and Will Keane remain absent.
Hull have won just one of their previous four home Premier League games against Sunderland (W1 D1 L2) and have never scored more than once in any of those matches.
After beating Hull in their first four Premier League contests, Sunderland have won just one of their last five against them, though this was the reverse fixture 3-0 this season (D1 L3).
Victor Anichebe scored twice in Sunderland's 3-0 win over Hull in November but hasn't scored in his 12 Premier League games since.
Jermain Defoe has scored four times in five Premier League games against Hull. However, Defoe's goalless run in the Premier League now stands at 10 appearances and 945 minutes since scoring against Crystal Palace on February 4th.
A win for Marco Silva would see him equal Steve Bruce's record of seven home wins in a Premier League season for Hull set in 2013/14.
Silva hasn't lost a home league match as a manager since March 2014 while manager of Portuguese side Estoril (W34 D7).
Hull are the only side to not score against Sunderland so far this season in the Premier League.
By the end of the Premier League season, Sunderland will have spent 261 days in the relegation zone, the joint 5th most in a single season for a side.
This is a huge game for Hull. This will be one Marco Silva highlighted as a must-win and I think they will win this game. Their home form is absolutely phenomenal.
It won't be easy though because the shackles are off for Sunderland after their relegation last week. The pressure's off now so maybe David Moyes' side, who also play Swansea next week, can come out and play with no pressure which could prove dangerous for Hull. However, I can't see anything but a home win in this game.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (5/1 with Sky Bet)
Hull are Sky Bet's 4/9 favourites with Sunderland 13/2 while the draw is priced at 4/9. The Tigers are 6/4 to join their visitors in facing relegation, with Swansea (11/8) and Middlesbrough (100/1) favoured to be playing in the Sky Bet Championship next season. Oumar Niasse heads the first goalscorer betting at 100/30 while Jermain Defoe is 7/1 to end his goal drought by breaking the deadlock.
Hull v Sunderland is included in this weekend's Super 6 line-up, with £250,000 up for grabs again following jackpot wins in the last two rounds. Enter your predictions for free here.
