MATCH PREVIEW - HULL

All you need to know ahead of City's clash with Hull

Hull City v Cardiff City
Venue: KC Stadium
Date: 14th September 2013, KO 3pm
Match-tag:#HULCAR (Live tweets on @CardiffCityFC)
LISTEN LIVE ON CARDIFF CITY PLAYER

The Bluebirds’ travel to the KC Stadium as two of the ‘newcomers’ to the Barclays Premier League go head-to-head.

MATCH FACTS)www.premierleague.com(source

-    Hull City have attempted fewer shots than any other side in the Barclays Premier League so far this season (16; excluding blocked shots).
-    The Tigers' last four Barclays Premier League fixtures have produced just five goals.
-    Both of Hull's goals in all competitions this season have been scored by Robbie Brady.
-    Both teams were promoted last season from the Championship despite not boasting a single player to reach double figures for goals scored.

RECENT NEWS

STEVE HARPER – More than 50,000 fans turned out at Newcastle United’s St James’ Park on Wednesday night for current Tigers stopper Steve Harper, following his 20-years of service to the Magpies as a player.
A team of Newcastle Legends, led by Harper, took on a team of AC Milan greats including Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio for Charity. All funds raised will be split between charities, The Great North Children’s Hospital, Sir Bobby Robson foundation and the Newcastle United foundation.

KEY PLAYER– Tom Huddlestone



The Tigers biggest, in name at least, summer signing from Spurs, Tom Huddlestone’s arrival with the Tigers has brought some added midfield guile to the Hull City midfield.
With plenty of experience in the Premier League and in European competition from eight years with Spurs, the 26-year old has played a key role in the Tigers’ positive start to the season, making his debut in their opening day defeat to Chelsea as a substitute. The England international can make any midfield tick if given the chance.

IN-FORM PLAYER- Robbie Brady



The scorer of both Hull City’s goals for the season so far in all competitions, Irish International Robbie Brady has continued his fine form that helped see the Tigers to promotion from the Championship last season.

Brady arrived at the KC Stadium in January from Manchester United, initially on-loan before being signed permanently by manager Steve Bruce in the January Transfer Window. In total Brady made 24 appearances for the Tigers last campaign, scoring four goals.
 
RECENT FORM (ALL COMPETITIONS):

HULL CITY:LWDL
Last time out -  Manchester City 2-0 Hull City
Starting line-up:  McGregor, Figueroa, Chester, Davies, Elmohamady, Huddlestone, Koren (Boyd 75), Livermore, Brady, Aluko (Quinn 70), Graham. Subs Not Used: Harper, McShane, Bruce, Rosenior, Meyler.

Manchester City bounced back from their 3-2 defeat to the Bluebirds with a hard fought 2-0 victory over the Tigers at the Etihad Stadium last time out. Despite having a lot of the play, City finally broke the resilient Tigers down after the hour mark through Alvaro Negredo before Yaya Toure’s 90th minute strike made sure of the points.

Cardiff City:  LWWD
Last time out – Cardiff City 0-0 Everton
Starting line-up: Marshall; Connolly, Taylor, Caulker, Turner, Whitts, Medel (Mutch 89), Campbell, Kim (Maynard 82), Gunnarsson, Bellamy (C) (Cowie 78). Subs not used: Lewis; Hudson, Gestede, Noone.

A share of the spoils was probably the fair result for both sides as the Bluebirds picked up another valuable Premier League point against the Toffees at Cardiff City Stadium last time out. David Marshall forced to make a fantastic stop from Nikica Jelavic late in the first-half, with Peter Whittingham coming the closest to scoring for the Bluebirds direct from a first-half corner.

LAST MEETING:
2012-13 npower Championship, The KC Stadium, Saturday 4th May 2013 – Hull City 2-2 Cardiff City

Our last meeting came just over four months ago as Hull City secured their promotion to the Premier League with the Bluebirds with a thrilling 2-2 draw. Fraizer Campbell put the Bluebirds ahead early in the second-half before two goals from Nick Proschwitz and Paul McShane put the Tigers ahead before David Marshall denied Proschwitz a second from the penalty spot. Nicky Maynard made no  mistake with his penalty shortly after however, slotting home to snatch a 2-2 draw.

Cardiff line-up: Marshall, McNaughton, Taylor, Turner, Velikonja (Campbell 46), Conway, Kim, Noone (Gestede 64), Gunnarsson, Mutch, Nugent. Subs not used: Lewis, Whittingham, Smith, Lappin.



REFEREE: Robert Madley

Recently promoted to referee the Premier League this summer, Robert began refereeing in 2002 and after progressing through the West Yorkshire League and Contributory League System, was promoted to Panel Referee in 2008.

He spent a season as a Premier League Assistant Referee before being promoted to the Football League Referee List in 2010. Hull City v Cardiff City will be the first Premier League game he has officiated this season.