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Hull City has lost nine points in the top six in the league since his last game and goes to Brentford knowing that something very special will be needed to keep the weaker prospects alive.
Prediction by Philip Buckingham: the city's play-offs may go out once and for all
Nigel Adkins and his players said the right thing before heading to Brentford, but deep down of themselves, they must suspect that an unlikely pursuit of the Championship playoffs has become almost impossible.
Although a nine point gap is not insurmountable with 42 points to win, the 2-0 defeat by Derby and the 2-2 home draw against Rotherham will take over.
The two points lost against the Millers were particularly damaging. Winning a win over there could have silenced City's pace, but giving up a two-goal lead at home to a relegation candidate spoke of a team losing confidence.
A productive week could change everything quickly, of course. City has a double-header at KCOM Stadium against Millwall and Birmingham to track his move to Brentford and seven out of nine points allow Adkins to return.
The vow has been to attack these last 14 games, but Brentford will not be easy to beat. The Bees have made great progress since their defeat at KCOM Stadium in December and the host city after successive home wins against Stoke, Blackburn and Aston Villa.
Griffin Park has not been tender with the pressures of others. City is sure to find that difficult.
Brentford 1 Hull City 1
Brentford team news
Brentford will be without defender Ezri Konsa Ngoyo for a visit to Hull City after his expulsion from the FA Cup defeat last weekend in Swansea.
Ngoyo, a regular back three of the Bees, serves a one-game ban, forcing Frank to make a change.
Either Henrik Dalsgaard, who broke a bone in his hand two weeks ago, rookie Mads Bech Sorensen should replace the back.
Rico Henry, Emiliano Marcondes and Lewis MacLeod are all still excluded from injury.
(Image: Focus)
Frank did not rule out changes after the second half-day of capitulation against Swansea in the fifth round of the FA Cup, but the previous form of the Bees will cancel the need for sneaky reactions.
Ollie Watkins, Neal Maupay and Said Benrahma will be at the forefront in a 3-4-3 system while ex-Tiger Moses Odubajo should retain his place on the left-back.
XI possible (3-4-3): Luke Daniels; Henrik Dalsgaard, Julian Jeanvier and Yoann Barbet; Sergi Canos, Kamohelo Mokotjo, Romaine Sawyers, Moses Odubajo; Ollie Watkins, Neal Maupay and Said Benrahma
Subs: Dan Bentley, Mads Bech Sorensen, Josh Da Silva, Nikolaj Kirk, Josh McEachran, Kolbeinn Finsson, Chiedozie Ogbene
News from the Hull City team
Jordy de Wijs and Reece Burke will both be considered for departures to Brentford, while Nigel Adkins is studying his options for defense.
De Wijs (calf) and Burke (knee) have not played for City since the 2-2 draw at Aston Villa, but have trained well before moving to Griffin Park.
Adkins will have the option of recalling what was his first choice couple or staying with Robbie McKenzie and Liam Ridgewell.
(Image: Focus)
Ondrej Mazuch (Achilles) and Jon Toral (ankle), subject to injury, are still absent, while Adkins also lacks Dan Batty, injured his back after being injured in the back last week.
Kevin Stewart is another doubt after missing the training this week with his own complaint on the back. Jackson Irvine would be waiting for new partner Markus Henriksen in a deeper role.
It was announced to Angus MacDonald (Calf) that he would not play this season, while James Weir is another long-absent absent, still absent.
Possible XI (4-2-3-1): David Marshall; Todd Kane, Reece Burke, Jordy de Wijs, Stephen Kingsley; Markus Henriksen, Jackson Irvine; Jarrod Bowen, Evandro, Kamil Grosicki; Fraizer Campbell
Subs: George Long, Liam Ridgewell, Eric Lichaj, Kevin Stewart, Mark Pugh, David Milinkovic, Chris Martin
Key Battle: Neal Maupay v Reece Burke
If Hull City was relieved to have clung to Jarrod Bowen in January, it would be the same in Brentford camp as the transfer window pbaded without Neal Maupay being caught off guard.
The 22-year-old center forward has had a very hot season this season, ambading 22 goals in all competitions. Maupay matches are also essential for the Bees, who have scored 21 times in their last games.
(Image: Getty)
Hull City, meanwhile, has looked suspicious on the return during his recent travels, but the return of influential defenders should help consolidate a team that has scored eight goals against Aston Villa, Blackburn and Derby.
Burke will likely be right after a knee injury and will have to hold Maupay on a tight leash if City wants to collect three valuable points.
Brentford: in a few figures
Things started looking towards Griffin Park. After a tough test end in 2018, when only two wins had been won in 18 games, Brentford had found a pace that had stifled fears of relegation in the bud.
Thomas Frank's team have lost only once in the championship since their 2-0 defeat at KCOM Stadium in December and a four-game winning streak in the last five games has brought them within four Hull points. City.
(Image: Getty)
The results on the national soil were particularly good. Including the victories against Oxford and Barnet in the FA Cup, they will play a sixth consecutive victory at home by hosting the Tigers.
Bees have no problem to score goals either. Only five clubs in the division, including 18 from top scorer Neal Maupay, broke their record of 50. The only recent disappointment Brentford was a flat out of the FA Cup for Swansea City.
Bet
An undefeated Brentford team since December 8 at home is favored by the favoritism of the bookmakers, who oppose them everywhere for the victory. The 5/6 offered by two companies is as good as that obtained by those who support a victory of the Bees.
City's recent troubles, with one point out of nine possible, guarantee a 7/2 (Unibet) shot. The draw can be supported at 3/1 with Bet365. City is unbeaten in five games against the Bees and scored 7/1 (Betvictor) for a repeat of the 1-1 draw that brought 2017-18 to an end.
Neal Maupay is inevitably at the head of the first goal's markets. The attacker only has 13/5 to open the scoring. It means at least that the big hitters of the city have a decent chance. Jarrod Bowen is 8/1 with Sportpesa, the same as Fraizer Campbell. Kamil Grosicki, however, has the juiciest odds. It must be interesting to watch 16/1 (Skybet).
Arbitrator
Tim Robinson (Susbad)
Assistants: Jonathan Hunt and Adrian Waters
Fourth leader: Andy Davies
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