After securing a late victory over Derby on Tuesday evening, Hull have a chance to tighten their grasp further on second place when they face Charlton on Saturday at the KC Stadium. It was only their second victory in six league matches but Steve Bruce will be delighted not only that they won, but the manner of their win. Having played well and creating several chances without getting their rewards, it’s pleasing for a manager when his players are not at their best but manage to pick up the three points, especially when it was so late on that the winning goal came. With nearest rivals Leicester in FA Cup action this weekend, Bruce will know it could be a big psychological advantage if they manage a victory and put six points between themselves and the Foxes.
Charlton have adapted well enough on their return to the Championship but they go into Saturday’s match without a win in three. Their current run is somewhat of a surprise as they had won their three matches preceding it, but it’s been their failure to achieve consistency that has prevented them from being in and around the play-offs. Although just six points off the bottom three, Charlton sit just below mid-table and are only 10 points adrift of sixth placed – it’s evidence as to how tight the Championship is this season. It’s probably too much to ask for them to reach the play-off’s taking into account the size of their squad and the amount of sides who sit above them, but Chris Powell will be targeting safety as quickly as possible and the first task is ending this three match winless run as quickly as possible.
In past previews of matches involving Hull, I’ve touched on their lack of an out and out goalscorer and that was evident last weekend against Brighton. Despite creating a plethora of chances and forcing the opposition keeper to make tremendous stops, Hull were unable to get that elusive first goal and went on to lose the match. It’s easy to say that they never deserved to lose that match but the cold hard facts are if you don’t take your chances and score goals, you’ll not win games. He has a good size of squad but I’m sure Bruce will be concerned that he doesn’t have the luxury of a prolific striker.
Charlton have picked up some terrific results away from home this season including wins, already victorious at Blackburn and Watford in 2013 alone. Those games are two of their six victories away from home which is the second most in the league – the three sides who lead the way with eight away wins are all within the top four, including their opponents on Saturday. Such a record should mean they travel with confidence to Hull, especially considering they have scored in all but three of their 15 away games this term.
With Charlton’s away record being what it is, Hull are going to have to work very hard if they are to take all three points on Saturday. I think the price on a home win is fair enough, they deserve to be favourites. That being said, they have found it difficult to get over the line in recent weeks so rather than opting for the home win, I’m going for both teams to score. Charlton trade blows with the best sides in this division and I can see that continuing this weekend.
Both teams to score 10/11 @ Coral
