Hull vs WBA perview

Hull take on West Brom looking to extend their unbeaten run. Hull have won their last 3 and are undefeated in their last 5. West Brom have have been in good form themselves having won 3 of their last 5. Although West Brom were disappointing last time out losing 4-0 to Manchester united. Both teams have been performing well since been promoted last season.

Hull go into the clash at the Hawthorns with a fully fit squad with the only absentee been Craig Fagan who is still missing through a broken leg. Nick Barmby and Stelios are still lacking Fitness so will not feature. West Brom are without  Abdoulaye Meite who is still struggling with a calf strain and  Filipe Teixeira who is still sidelined, Do-heon Kim is still a few weeks off 1st team action.

Hull boss Phil Brown:

"I think West Brom are the firm favourites with the game being at the Hawthorns.

"Being the team that they were last season and with the players that they have added, I fully expect West Brom to be a team that finishes in the 'middle eight' of the division as opposed to the bottom eight."

And despite winning their last three games, Brown hasn't ruled out making changes to his side for the trip to the Midlands.

"I've got Brian Horton with me who has a thousand games under his belt as a manager. Has he ever changed a winning team? The answer is yes.

"I've got Steve Parkin with me who has over 400 games under his belt as a manager. Has he ever changed a winning team? The answer is yes.

"Have either of them changed a team that has won three games in a row against the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and West Ham? The answer is no.

"It is difficult to look and pick fault with the players who have played in those three games.

"But I think we're coming up against a different kind of team and a different kind of mentality with West Brom.

"They came up with us and were undoubtedly the best team in the division last year. They have started the season very well and they are playing some very attractive football.

"I was at their game against Manchester United last weekend and for 60 or 65 minutes, they gave them a good game of football. Unfortunately for them, the quality in the box on the day fell to Manchester United. 4-0 looked like a drubbing but I think Tony (Mowbray) will have taken something from the game.

"We're facing a different kind of pressure now as one of the three promoted teams. Having finished third last year, we now find ourselves above the other two and are there to be shot at.

"There is room for change, but I haven't made any yet."

West Brom boss Tony Mowbray:
"There may have been a danger if Hull had been struggling that there would have been an expectation on us to win this one.

"But Hull have shown, on the road in particular, that they are very strong. It will be a high-energy, high-octane game which drives our team on.

"Defensively, Hull are very hard to break down. They get lots of men behind the ball, they play a certain formation that is difficult to break down, as some good teams have found out, and we will be the next one to have a crack at it."

Head 2 Head

Hull's 1-2 Championship victory at the Hawthorns on 23 February 2008 was their first win there in 11 visits over 34 years.

Home and away
League (inc PL): WBA 16 wins, Hull 14, Draws 12
Prem: WBA 0 wins, Hull 0, Draws 0

at WBA only
League (inc PL): WBA 10 wins, Hull 4, Draws 7
Prem: WBA 0 wins, Hull 0, Draws 0

Likely line ups