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Hull v Everton: Back Lukaku to add to tally and visitors to triumph

The Belgian has scored ten goals in 17 Premier League games this season, with three of those coming in his last two away games."
Hull v Everton
Friday, 20:00
Live on Sky Sports 1

Hull

Mike Phelan's team were defeated 3-0 at home to Manchester City on Boxing Day, stretching their run without a Premier League win to seven games.

Now bottom of the table, the only good news for Hull was that the two sides also in the relegation zone - Swansea and Sunderland - also lost. With just four points separating the Tigers from safety, all hope is not lost, but they must start winning matches soon if they are to have any hope of survival.

Hull looked like certainties to go down at the start of the season, due to their lack of investment in their squad. There is talent at the club, but it's been stretched very thin and some wise recruitment in January looks vital.

Phelan is already missing several players of his already thin squad through injury. Alex Bruce, Abel Hernandez, Will Keane, Brian Lenihan, Greg Luer, Allan McGregor and Moses Odubajo are all on the sidelines.

Everton

The Toffees haven't been in the best of form of late, but enjoyed a rare away win over the festive season, as they beat Leicester 2-0.

It was their victory on the road for six matches, which is a run stretching back to their September win against Sunderland. Despite their erratic results, Everton are currently seventh, which is a position which could provide a path into Europe should cup results go their way.

The Leicester win was their second in three games, with the dramatic match against Arsenal at Goodison Park still fresh in the memory. They will be looking at Hull as an opportunity to finally build some consistency. The wins over West Brom, Stoke, Sunderland and Middlesbrough in the opening weeks of the season, remain the only consecutive wins enjoyed by Ronald Koeman's side.

Koeman is another manager with several injured players. Mohamed Besic, Yannick Bolasie, James McCarthy, Matthew Pennington and Maarten Stekelenburg are all currently out.

Ref Watch

Jon Moss will take charge of this one. He showed nine yellow cards when he last refereed an Everton match - their September draw with Crystal Palace.

Match Odds

Everton are the 1.96 favourites, with the draw at 3.60 and Hull at 4.60.

Though Everton are a frustrating side who seldom do what you expect, this looks a chunky price against a team as poor as Hull. The Tigers have little threat going forward, but are not capable of sitting back and defending resolutely either, which makes for a recipe for regular defeats.

Over/Under 2.5 Goals

Under 2.5 goals is the favourite at 1.81, with overs out at 2.14.

Considering that three of Hull's last four games have seen three goals or more, overs might be a little overpriced, but it's a risky bet considering that Everton have not always posed the attacking threat that they should this season.

Better value is the 2.50 for an Everton Clean Sheet, with Hull having failed to score in four of their last five games.

To Score

Lukaku is the 2.30 favourite to score and that looks a great price against a defence as leaky as Hull's. The Belgian has scored ten goals in 17 Premier League games this season, with three of those coming in his last two away games.

As ever, it's Robert Snodgrass that poses the biggest threat for Hull. The likely price of [5.75] could be worth a punt, as the Scot is Hull's penalty taker and top scorer.

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