Preston vs Hull preview
Monday 24 December 2018 13:05, UK
Preston boss Alex Neil has limited attacking options for the clash with Hull.
Striker Louis Moult was forced off during the 1-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday with a hamstring problem. Callum Robinson, Brandon Barker, Sean Maguire, Josh Harrop and Billy Bodin are already on the sidelines, leaving Neil with only Lukas Nmecha and Tom Barkhuizen up front.
Skipper Tom Clarke missed out at Hillsborough with a nose problem, while North End are still waiting to see whether their appeal against midfielder Ben Pearson's red card against Wednesday will be successful.
Hull should have captain Markus Henriksen back after he missed the 3-2 home win over Swansea through illness. The midfielder had been due to face the Swans but pulled out before the game after being taken ill, with goalkeeper David Marshall taking over the captain's armband for the match.
Head coach Nigel Adkins will have to decide whether to recall Henriksen or continue with Kevin Stewart. Defender Ondrej Mazuch was taken off at half-time with a muscle strain against Swansea and his replacement Jordy De Wijs could continue to deputise. Full-back Eric Lichaj and midfielder Jon Toral are expected to remain sidelined.
Opta stats
Preston North End are unbeaten in their last four meetings with Hull City, including a 1-1 draw earlier this season at the KC Stadium, thanks to a 90th minute equaliser from Louis Moult.
Jarrod Bowen has scored for Hull City in each of their last three competitive meetings with Preston North End - all three being the Tigers' only goal of that game.
This will be the first Boxing Day meeting between Preston and Hull for 90 years - in the 1928 meeting, Preston won 1-0.
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Hull manager Nigel Adkins has lost his last three matches in all competitions at Deepdale against Preston, losing to three different managers - Alan Irvine in 2008, Darren Ferguson in 2010 and Alex Neil earlier this year.
Preston have lost just two of their last 16 home matches in all competitions (W8 D6).
Hull have won just two of their last 17 away league matches in December (D5 L10), with one of those wins coming on Boxing Day in 2014 at Sunderland.
Prutton's prediction
David Prutton predicts: 1-1 (5/1 with Sky Bet)
