Hull v Middlesbrough preview
Monday 30 October 2017 18:54, UK
Hull are expected to be without attacking midfielder Jon Toral for their home game against Middlesbrough.
Toral was forced out of Saturday's home defeat to Nottingham Forest with a hamstring injury shortly after stepping off the bench. Head coach Leonid Slutsky must decide whether to start with Fraizer Campbell for the second time in four days as the striker has only recently returned from a knee injury.
Slutsky could make changes after his side's sixth league defeat of the season. Stephen Kingsley (groin) is still out, while Evandro (quad muscle), Will Keane (knee) and Abel Hernandez (Achilles) are long-term absentees.
Boro boss Garry Monk has no fresh injury problems as he looks to build on a first Sky Bet Championship win in six attempts at Reading on Saturday. Monk restored nine of the men he had rested for the midweek Carabao Cup tie at Bournemouth for the trip to the Madejski Stadium with Marcus Tavernier replacing Ashley Fletcher in the side which had lined up at Cardiff in the previous league fixture.
He is unlikely to make many changes at the KCOM Stadium with a near full complement from which to select. Striker Rudy Gestede continues to close in on a return from a thigh injury which has sidelined him since the end of August, although Tuesday night's game is expected to come too soon for him.
Opta stats
Hull have won their last four home league games against Middlesbrough, winning 4-2 in the Premier League in April last season.
Indeed, Boro have only won once at the KC Stadium against Hull in seven attempts in all competitions (D1 L5), a 4-2 win in April 2011 with Scott McDonald scoring a hat-trick.
Having previously won six out of eight home league matches (D2), Hull have won just three of their last 9 matches they've hosted in the league since (D1 L5).
The Tigers have scored more goals than any other Championship side so far this season (26) whilst 20 have come at The KC Stadium.
Boro have won just two of their last 25 away league matches (D10 L13), however, they are unbeaten in their last five games on the road (W2 D3).
Prutton's prediction
Middlesbrough finally got a vital win at the weekend to ease a bit of the pressure on Garry Monk. It's still early days for him but with the players they have and the money they spent.
Hull are the top scorers in the league but it's their defence that's costing them at the moment, which was perfectly reflected by their 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday. But I think Boro will have too much for them and nick the win.
Prutton predicts: 1-2 (9/1 with Sky Bet)
