Relegated Hull City start life back in the Championship away at title favourites Aston Villa in Saturday’s evening fixture.
Villa have had a good summer transfer window, managing to convince John Terry to join the second tier side.
Steve Bruce has also been re-united with a player he regularly signs in the shape of Ahmed Elmohamady, whose debut will be against his former side.
Hull City named the former Russia coach Lenoid Slutskiy as their new manager, after Marco Silva left for Watford.
Once again they lost numerous key players this summer, with Harry Maguire, Curtis Davies and Tom Huddlestone all leaving.
Match history
The pair last met in the Premier League back in 2015, with Hull City’s 2-0 win ending Paul Lambert’s reign in charge of Villa.
The win was Hull City’s first in 12 matches against Villa, who have an excellent record against the Tigers.
Last five league meetings (All Premier League)
Hull City 2 Aston Villa 0 – 10/02/15
Aston Villa 2 Hull City 1 – 31/08/14
Aston Villa 3 Hull City 1 – 03/05/14
Hull City 0 Aston Villa 0 – 05/10/13
Hull City 0 Aston Villa 2 – 21/04/10
Draw HT / Aston Villa FT – 4/1 with Betfair
Team news
Last season’s top goalscorer Jonathan Kodija will miss the start of the season for Villa through injury.
Mile Jedinak’s troublesome groin problem is likely to rule him out, meaning Glenn Whelan will make his debut.
Frazier Campbell is in line for a second Hull City debut having returned to the club over the summer.
Moses Odubajo has missed over a year with a knee injury and shows no sign of making a comeback just yet.
Expected starting XI’s
Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Johnstone; Hutton, Chester, Terry, Taylor; Lansbury, Whelan; Elmohamady, Hourihane, Green; Hogan
Hull City (4-2-3-1): McGregor; Lenihan, Dawson, Hector, Aina; Clucas, Stewart; Bowen, Henriksen, Campbell; Hernandez
Predictions
Result: Aston Villa (11/10 with Bet 365)
Correct Score: 2-0 (15/2 with Sky Bet)
Anytime Goalscorer: Scott Hogan (21/10 with Betfair)
