Scouting Report: Hull City (Home)

After another disappointing performance against Norwich City on Wednesday, Hull City are the next opponents at the Madejski Stadium. The Tigers themselves go into the game after three defeats in their last five games, including a 2-1 defeat to Wigan Athletic on Tuesday night.

However early in the season is, this fixture will be a game of two teams fighting relegation, so each team will be hoping to come out on top to try and get a winning streak started. This game also sees the return of former Royals manager Nigel Adkins, and he will be dying to get one over on his former employees.

A victory for Hull could see them jump into 16th place, whereas a victory for the Royals would see them overtake their opponents, who currently sit in 19th.

The Tigers have no fresh injury concerns after their game against Wigan, with only Dan Batty a doubt after their fixture against Ipswich Town. The midfielder suffered a knee injury and probably won’t be fit enough to make an appearance at the Mad Stad.

Defender Ondrej Mazuch is unavailable after a long-term knee injury, but is close to a return for the Tigers. Former Reading loanees Tommy Elphick and Chris Martin should make the return to Berkshire, and Hull will be hoping the latter can put in some better performances than he did in his time at RG2.

Predicted lineup

David Marshall, Eric Lichaj, Tommy Elphick, Jordy De Wijs, Stephen Kingsley, Jarrod Bowen, Markus Henriksen, Kevin Stewart, Jackson Irvine, Chris Martin, Nouha Dicko

Hull’s side, similarly to the Royals’, hasn’t performed so far this season, with both sides looking to change their fortunes in Berkshire on Saturday. It is a good opportunity for each team, with neither going into the game with any form of confidence, so it is a massive chance for one of them to capitalise.

Hull have conceded 13 goals this season (equal to Reading) and have scored nine (also equal to the Royals).

My prediction

I think this game will end 2-2. Neither side is on good form and will both be desperate to get one up on a relegation rival. Chris Martin will undoubtedly score (probably twice) against the Royals after his previous goal-scoring record in RG2. However, I think Sam Baldock and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson will get on the score sheet for the Royals and both sides will walk away with a point.