Bristol City v Hull City preview: Luke Freeman set to miss EFL Cup clash
Tuesday 25 October 2016 20:33, UK
Luke Freeman looks set to miss Bristol City's EFL Cup fourth-round tie against Hull at Ashton Gate on Tuesday.
The midfielder suffered an ankle injury during Saturday's 1-0 Championship victory over Blackburn, and he is thought unlikely to recover in time to face the Premier League side.
City boss Lee Johnson looks set to keep changes to a minimum, though, with the manager hoping that Bobby Reid will be available following a fitness test.
The Hull game is Robins' first at home in the EFL Cup this season, having defeated Wycombe, Scunthorpe and Fulham on their travels to reach round four.
Hull winger Robert Snodgrass is a major doubt after sustaining an ankle injury in Saturday's home defeat to Stoke.
Snodgrass left the KCOM Stadium in a protective boot and on crutches and boss Mike Phelan is waiting for scan results to determine the full extent of the injury.
Left-back Andrew Robertson (calf) has been ruled out for eight weeks, fellow defender Moses Odubajo (fractured patella) faces an extended period on the sidelines and forward Dieumerci Mbokani has a hamstring injury.
Striker Abel Hernandez could return to the starting line-up and teenage defender Josh Tymon is hoping to make his fourth senior appearance for the club.
Opta Stats
This is Bristol City's first appearance in Round 4 of the League Cup since they reached the semi-final in 1988-89.
Hull have only progressed beyond this stage of the competition once - reaching the quarter-finals last season before losing to eventual winners Manchester City.
The Tigers are unbeaten in their last six games in all competitions against Bristol City (W3 D3), though this will be their first ever meeting in the League Cup.
The Robins have progressed from just one of their last 19 League Cup ties against top-flight opposition, beating Crystal Palace 2-1 at Ashton Gate in August 2013.
No player has scored more goals in the EFL Cup this season than Tammy Abraham (3). Indeed, he's scored the Robins' winning goal in each of their three rounds so far.
Charlie Nicholas' prediction
This is dangerous one for Hull because I do think that Bristol City, with Tammy Abraham in particular, will be looking forward to the chance to take a Premier League side out.
They create a lot of scoring opportunities in the knowledge that this kid from Chelsea is a real finisher.
I'm not sure Hull can make many changes other than resting Michael Dawson again after his first game back and I don't really see much creativity in them, so it will be a struggle for them.
Charlie predicts: 1-1 and Bristol City to win in extra-time
