Hull v Middlesbrough preview
By Tiger Tim
December 5 2008
Hull take on Middlesbrough this weekend looking for their 1st win in 6 games. Having started the season well Hull have taken only 3 points from a possible 18 in the last 6 games and will be looking to end that run at the KC stadium. Middlesbrough go into the game having won only 1 of their last 5. However their are unbeaten in their last 4 away games having won 2 and drawn 2 .
Team news
Hull are without Injured Duo Andy Dawson and Caleb Folan. Anthony Gardner and Craig Fagan are still a few weeks off a first team return. Dean Marney is also a Doubt
Middlesbrough have serious doubts over Chris Riggott and Mohamed Shawky. Robert Huth is also a slight doubt having been out since September. Emanuel Pogatetz and Gary O'Neil are expected to be fit.
Manager views
Phil Brown:
"It's now three undefeated, three good draws, two on our journeys.
"We're back at the KC Stadium, hopefully to bring back that winning mentality."
Gareth Southgate:
"I attended a dinner with Phil Brown last weekend and I found him a very impressive guy.
"I think the job he has done is phenomenal, and there are so many similarities between them and us in the way he and his chairman are developing the club's facilities while at the same time going out into the community.
"Phil is passionate about what he is trying to do at Hull, just as we are at Middlesbrough."
Head 2 Head
Hull and Middlesbrough are meeting for the first time since the Teessiders' 4-3 home win in a third round replay of the FA Cup on 16 January 2007.
Hull won 5-0 when they first met Middlesbrough. That was in a first round FA Cup tie on 7 January 1922. The Yorkshire club were in the Second Division at the time and the Teessiders in the top-flight.
Home and away
League (inc PL): Hull 9 wins, Middlesbrough 16, Draws 11
Prem: Hull 0 wins, Middlesbrough 0, Draws 0
at Hull only
League (inc PL): Hull 6 wins, Middlesbrough 3, Draws 9
Prem: Hull 0 wins, Middlesbrough 0, Draws 0
Possible starting Xls:
Hull: Myhill, McShane, Turner, Zayatte, Ricketts, Marney, Boateng, Ashbee, Barmby, Geovanni, King
Boro: Turnbull, Huth, Wheater, Pogatetz, Taylor, Aliadiere, Arca, Digard, Downing, Tuncay, Alves
PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: KC Stadium
Date: Saturday, 6 December
Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Coverage: Full-match commentary on BBC Tees 95FM, BBC Radio
Humberside, updates on BBC Sport website & highlights on Match of
the Day; featured game on Final Score, Also avaible on Skysports.com and Soccer Saturday.
Referee
Steve Tanner (Somerset)
| Matches | Red | Yellow | Average |
| 6 | 0 | 20 | 3.33 |
risn' up to the challenge of our rival