Ruben Selles must surely start ‘amazing’ Hull City star vs Portsmouth, he can save them from relegation

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Hull City supporters are biting their nails ahead of their trip to Portsmouth this weekend, with their Championship future on the line.

The equation is simple for the Tigers in the Championship relegation race. Hull must beat Portsmouth to confirm their survival and avoid relegation to League One. However, there is a chance Ruben Selles’ men could survive without taking all three points at Fratton Park.

A draw would be enough, but only if one of Preston North End, Luton Town or Derby County lose, with the latter needing to taste defeat by a two-goal deficit for them to avoid the drop.

Selles will be without midfielder Regan Slater for their trip to the South Coast this weekend after he suffered an injury in the defeat to Derby.

While the 25-year-old’s energy and dynamism will be a big loss in midfield, it could open the opportunity for Selles to be brave with his team selection.

• READ MORE: More bad news for Hull City as EFL make key announcement for Portsmouth showdown

Joao Pedro must start for Hull City against Portsmouth

David Prutton has urged Hull to go all-out attack against Pompey, which is hardly a surprise considering they need to play on the front foot and with aggression to save their skin.

Hull’s major problem this term has been putting the ball in the back of the net and creating enough chances to win football matches.

The Tigers are the second-lowest scorers in the Championship, with only Luton netting fewer, and they must assemble all of their best attacking players to change that narrative on Saturday.

Heading into this weekend, Joao Pedro remains their top scorer with a measly six, yet the 33-year-old has been left on the bench in the previous two matches.

Selles lauded Pedro as ‘amazing’ after his incredible goal against Bristol City in March before being sent off, and although that was his final contribution for the club, he’s the likely candidate to produce a match-winning moment out of nothing.

How Hull City’s attack should lineup against Portsmouth

Hull have deployed Kyle Joseph as the frontman in the last two matches, but he’s failed to get into the game on both occasions, leaving supporters frustrated with the former Blackpool man.

Pedro should replace him in the starting lineup with Leeds United loanee Joe Gelhardt floating behind as a number 10.

Gelhardt’s aggression in the press and bite in the tackle can set the tone for Hull, who need to put everything on the line against Pompey.

As for the rest of the attack, Abu Kamara is likely to keep his place on the right with veteran Nordin Amrabat deployed on the left.