Hull City and Birmingham City go head-to-head at the MKM Stadium in the EFL Championship. The hosts are the lowest-scoring team in the Championship and currently sit in the relegation zone. Birmingham City is in the 15th position and have ten points more than their opponents.
Hull City ended their five-match losing streak and completed a 2-0 victory over fellow strugglers Barnsley in the previous round. George Honeyman and Keane Lewis-Potter were on the scoresheet for the Tigers. Hull City players attempted 18 shots, and the expected goal rate of the team was 1.84.
The Tigers had 46% of the ball possession and attempted 380 passes in the match. A total of 19 crosses were attempted, with 31 attempted into the opposition’s penalty box. Callum Elder attempted six crosses, and his seven passes landed inside the opposition’s penalty area. George Honeyman attempted four smart passes and three crosses. He also landed seven passes into the opposition’s penalty area. Keane Lewis-Potter was another player who landed his seven passes inside the opposition’s penalty box.
Scoring goals is the biggest concern for the Tigers this season. They have scored the least number of goals (11) and have the lowest expected goal rate. The team averages 0.77 xG per 90 and the rate improved due to good performance in the recent fixture.
A goal in the last game makes Keane Lewis-Potter the highest goalscorer for Hull City, with three goals. The 20-year-old also has two assists to his name. George Honeyman became their seventh different goalscorer this season. Lewie Coyle’s injury makes him unavailable until the new year.
Birmingham City suffered a 1-2 loss against Reading in the previous round, which ended their three-match winning streak. Scott Hogan scored a goal inside the first three minutes of the match, but Birmingham City conceded two second-half goals that cost them the match. The Blues attempted 15 shots, with only two on target. They created 35 positional attacks and had an expected goal rate of 1.51. Nine shots were attempted from inside the opposition’s penalty box and they were unlucky as one of the shots hit the opposition goal post.
Birmingham City were on a good run before this match. The team earned ten points in four games and climbed above most of the teams. They have a negative goal difference of -1 and have scored 18 goals with an expected goal rate of 23.56. The Blues have attempted 191 shots and 60 shots have been on target. 130 shots have been attempted from inside the opposition box, with just 50 on target.
Scott Hogan is the top goalscorer for the Blues this season. The forward has managed to score six goals in 15 appearances. Jordan Graham, George Friend, Maxime Colin and Kristian Pedersen remain sidelined due to injury. Centre-back Dion Sanderson could make a return to the team.
Hull City have struggled to score goals and create chances this season, which leaves them in the relegation zone. Their previous victory should boost up the confidence of the players going into this match. Birmingham City have been an attacking side and have better stats than their opponents while going forward. Both teams will look to earn all three points.
