A Championship relegation six-pointer is going down at the KCOM tonight as Hull City entertain Plymouth Argyle, with both sides battling to distance themselves from the drop zone. The Tigers, 21st on 33 points, welcome a Plymouth outfit three points worse off in 23rd, meaning Tuesday evening's clash could be a season-defining one for both clubs.
Hull's recent home form has been a huge concern, with six straight defeats at the KCOM confounding their problems. The Tigers have failed to score in six of their 17 home matches this season. Plymouth's away record is much the same, with the Pilgrims having failed to score in 12 of their 17 away matches.
Both teams have a taste for late drama, with Hull netting 33% of their goals in the final quarter of an hour and Plymouth leaving 39% of their goals late too.
The record books provide even more narrative, with the last 12 meetings between these two evenly balanced at five wins apiece. Top scorers Joao Pedro for Hull and Ryan Hardie for Plymouth, with five goals each this term, could prove to be vital in what has been a tight affair in the past - the most common result being 1-0.
The match has implications far beyond the three points on offer. Victory for Hull could provide them with the momentum to drag themselves to safety, while Plymouth know three points on the road would provide a massive boost to their own survival hopes. With both teams having demonstrated a flair for late drama, this Championship clash could be settled in the last few minutes, adding to the tension of what appears to be a must-watch game.
Hull City - Plymouth Argyle Key Facts
Hull have won only 1 of their last 5 Championship matches against Plymouth Argyle. Meanwhile, Plymouth have lost only 1 of their last 5 Championship games against Hull City, which could convince some to back the underdogs.
Hull City are on a run of 6 consecutive home games without a win, which may cause concern among bettors looking at this clash.
Betting Predictions
Primary Bet: Hull City to Win @ 8/13
While Plymouth have been able to cause The Tigers problems in recent games between the two, Hull provide excellent value against Plymouth. The Tigers have a 60.77% chance of victory in this tie based on the statistics and have done okay in this fixture when playing on their own patch, winning two of the previous five home encounters with the Pilgrims. Most compelling of all, however, is the fact that Plymouth's away record this term has been nothing short of abysmal, drawing none and losing 12 of their 17 away fixtures, which makes Hull's odds all the more appealing.
Secondary Bet: Under 2.5 Goals @ 4/5
The under 2.5 goals market is also a tempting wager, backed by strong statistical evidence. Plymouth's struggles in front of goal are evident, failing to score in 12 of their 17 away matches, and Hull's modest home scoring record of 1.19 goals per match suggests that this will be a tight affair. Historical head-to-head stats also back this line, with clashes between the sides averaging just 1.8 goals and 1-0 being the most frequent scoreline when they meet.
Editorial Bet: Both Teams to Score - No @ 8/11
It is unlikely that both of these teams will find their scoring boots at the same time. If one is to break the deadlock, they will likely be the winner. Back BTTS - No in what should be a low-scoring and crucial win for one of them come the end of the 90 minutes.
