Championship on Tuesday

Hull v Coventry

Hull have been one of the better side’s in the championship in recent times and with only 5 points between them and the playoff places making the top 6 is still a realistic goal.
Having not played a game since January 12th should have them fresh and raring to go. Their home record has been good and they have only tasted defeat once in the last nine games, that defeat, a loss to West Brom last time out. The 3 – 1 scoreline to the Baggies flattered them, as possibly a draw was the fairest result. Hull were 2 – 1 down close to the end and just pushed too far up the field searching for that equaliser. That defeat to the league leaders was hardly an embarrassing result and if Hull can perform like that again they should have no problem taking 3 points from Coventry.
Their home form in general has been quite good losing just three of their 14 games at the KC Stadium this season, and with just one defeat from their last six league outings.

Hull’s last 5 home games


Hull 2 2 Cardiff 01/12/2007
Hull 2 0 Leicester 15/12/2007
Hull 2 0 Wolves 26/12/2007
Hull 1 0 Sheff.Wed 30/12/2007
Hull 1 3 W.B.A. 12/01/2008

Coventry have been on a dire run of late in the league, just four points taken from a possible twenty one and five defeats in the last six has seen them slip into 20th place. With just five points between them and safety the results need to pick up and fast or Ian Dowie could find himself in an unnecessary relegation battle. Their defence has been their main achilles heal with 44 goals conceded, a stat amongst the worst in the league. Two clean sheets in the league is a poor return from 27 games and not the best record when playing against a side who have scored in all but one home game.
On the selection front, Dowie has many problems with Kevin Kyle and Arjan De Zeeuw both suspended.
Marcus Hall, Colin Hawkins, Leon McKenzie, Ellery Cairo, Andy Marshall, David McNamee and Ben Turner are all out through injury to leave a pretty bare squad to chose from.

Coventry’s last 5 away games

Norwich 2 0 Coventry 24/11/2007
W.B.A. 2 4 Coventry 04/12/2007
Blackpool 4 0 Coventry 22/12/2007
Bristol C. 2 1 Coventry 01/01/2008
Leicester 2 0 Coventry 12/01/2008

Verdict
Coventry have enjoyed a bit of success in the FA Cup but are all over the place in the league. Their defence is leaking goals at an alarming rate and with all the injury problems they have its impossible to see them keeping Hull out for 90 minutes.
Hulls home record is impressive and 3 points should be enough incentive to see them back into the top 10 and at a nice price too.
Hull to win 2 - 0

PICK
Hull –0.5 (2.05 @ gamebookers) 6 points