Our daily blog with the latest news, transfer rumours and gossip about Hull City in the Premier League.
Pragmatic Tony Pulis may well take a seat at the KC Stadium on Saturday as the new Crystal Palace manager (his appointment is yet to be confirmed at the time of writing), but if you're a betting person there's good reason to back Hull City for a 1-0 win. That's the conclusion of a stats analysis by the football website WhoScored.com.
A statistical comparison shows the Tigers' probable starting eleven have scored seven goals to Palace's two. In fact, Palace, with six goals overall this term, are the only side to score fewer goals than City and have failed to net in six of their last eight Premier League matches. In addition, no game at the KC Stadium has seen more than two goals, while City have kept clean sheets in their previous three.
Bookies have City odds-on at 5/6 to win. A draw is priced 5/2 with Palace out at 21/5 to take the points back to London. Follow live commentary and all the reaction with the Hull Daily Mail tomorrow.Pulis with Palace in time for Tigers?
Former Stoke boss Pulis has emerged as the favourite to take the reins at the bottom side, who are six points adrift of Premier League safety ahead of the trip to the KC Stadium. Speculation has Pulis appointed in time for the match, but caretaker manager Keith Millen was conducting the pre-match press conference today.
Former Inter boss Andrea Stramaccioni and, most surprisingly, former Palace and short-term City boss Iain Dowie remain reported possibilities for the south Londoners, although Pulis has now emerged as the frontrunner.
Dan Petrescu has denied he is a candidate to become Palace manager and insisted he is happy at Dinamo Moscow. The former Chelsea defender had been strongly linked with the post at Selhurst Park, which has been vacant since Ian Holloway departed almost a month ago.
But Petrescu told Sovetsky Sport: "First, I want to say that I do not conduct negotiations with other clubs when I'm under contract. If they spoke to someone, it was only to my agent. Secondly, I love England, I am pleased that the English clubs remember my name, and I would work there, but right now it's impossible. The contract with Dinamo is for another year and a half and I'm happy here. I want to stay."Allan McGregor faces Scotland challenge
Gordon Strachan says Allan McGregor's place as Scotland's number one could come under threat if understudy David Marshall's fine form continues. Hull City goalkeeper McGregor missed this week's friendly encounters with the United States and Norway because of a thigh injury.
The Tigers hope he will return to face Crystal Palace on Saturday. In his absence, Cardiff's Marshall has recorded two clean-sheets for Scotland and was magnificent as the Dark Blues survived a barrage in Molde before completing a 1-0 smash-and-grab victory over the Norwegians on Tuesday.
Scotland boss Strachan said: "I've known David for a long time and he's now got a presence about him that he didn't always have. It's not arrogance, it's just a self-confidence. He hasn't changed off the pitch. He's still a very quiet and unassuming man but there is now a presence on the pitch. Is he now putting Allan McGregor under pressure for the number one spot? Yeah, I think he is."Waddle praises Fryatt
Chris Waddle believes Matty Fryatt will play a major part in Sheffield Wednesday's revival in partnership with Connor Wickham. On-loan Fryatt has scored four goals in only six starts for the club.
Waddle said: "Matty has shown if you get the ball in the box to him that he can finish."
Fryatt's success at Wednesday, coupled with Hull City's injury problems, has sparked talk of a recall to the KC.Gedo thanks Egypt fans
Hull City striker Gedo thanked Egypt fans for their support despite the nation failing to qualify for the World Cup. Gedo scored in a 2-1 play-off second leg victory over Ghana, but it wasn't enough to see them to Brazil as the Black Stars won 7-3 on aggregate.
Gedo said: "Thanks to the crowd that supported us until the final whistle, I think the game in Kumasi ended the tie. All respect to (manager Bob) Bradley and his staff."
