Talking Tactics | Swansea City v Hull City
Championship football returns with the final international break of 2023 complete, and Swansea City get back under way when they welcome Hull City to the Swansea.com Stadium on Saturday (3pm).
Ahead of the clash, WhoScored.com preview the fixture, looking at what to expect from the Tigers, the key battle and a key stat.
What to expect from Hull City
Liam Rosenior’s side are currently sat in eighth position, level on points with West Bromwich Albion and Sunderland, and outside of the play-off positions on goal difference.
It’s been an inconsistent start for Hull so far in the Championship with seven wins, five draws and four losses, but the Tigers come into this game on the back of three wins from their last four league matches.
The most notable of Hull’s wins so far this season came at the King Power Stadium back at the start of September, where a Liam Delap goal early in the first half was enough to take three points from current league leaders Leicester City.
Hull have looked a stronger side on their travels, and have picked up more wins on the road than they have at the MKM Stadium, with four of their seven victories coming away from home.
Rosenior has tinkered a little with his formations this season, but has largely adopted a 4-2-3-1 shape headed up by Manchester City starlet Liam Delap. The 20-year-old has already notched five goals and an assist from his 16 appearances for Hull this season, and may well be one to watch here.
Key Battle
The WhoScored.com match forecast suggests Hull City are capable of fighting back if they go behind against Swansea. The Tigers have come from behind to win twice this season already, overcoming a deficit in wins against Sheffield Wednesday and Blackburn.
Both sides have scored 22 goals apiece but the conversion rates suggest it is Swansea who are the more clinical side.
Jaden Philogene has been Hull’s highest-rated player this season, and he is certainly not afraid to get a shot off. He alone is averaging 3.5 shots per game.
The English youngster has contributed to eight goals in his 10 games so far, having scored three goals and provided five assists.
The 21-year-old forward is also the Championship’s highest-rated player with a WhoScored.com rating of 7.48.
Swansea do have potent attacking threats of their own, though, and Jamal Lowe is their joint topscorer and highest-rated player (7.01). His goal against Ipswich last time out was not enough to salvage a point but he comes into this game in form and hungry for more.
Key Stat
Hull may come into the game in strong form, but Swansea can take comfort from historical results, particularly at the Swansea.com Stadium.
Hull have won just once in the last six meetings between these two sides, and the Swans haven’t been beaten by Hull at home since the teams met back in 2016 in the Premier League.