Hull City vs Liverpool: Stats Preview
I wasn't planning to write a preview for this match, but as I found myself tweeting a barrage of pre-match stats this morning, I thought I'd collect them here to see how many of them come to pass in the match this afternoon. Here we go...
Liverpool have lost just one of their last 10 Premier League away games (W5 D4 L1).
Hull have had the fewest shots on target at home in the top flight this season (2.7 per game). Liverpool (with 4.7 per game) have had the eighth most away from home.
Hull have made the second fewest tackles per game in the Premier League at home this season (15.3). The Reds have made the fifth most away from home (21.8).
In their last four games, Hull have had a total of sixty shots, yet just three of them were on target from within the box. At the other end they've allowed forty-eight shots against, with ten of them being on target from within the penalty area.
Hull are the only team in the Premier League yet to score in open play at home this season. Their four goals have come from one set piece, two penalties and an own goal.
Liverpool have scored five in open play away from home this season, and only three teams have scored more so far. As well as those, the Reds have one from a counter attack, one penalty and four from set pieces (which is the joint-most in the league)
Hull have crossed the ball more times per home game (32) than any other Premier League team this season. However, they have only created fifteen chances (with one being scored) from those crosses.
42% of Hull's attacks have come down their right flank their season, which is the joint-second highest proportion in the top flight. It's likely to be a busy day for, presumably, Jon Flanagan.
Hull have yet to play a home game this season against any team who are currently higher than tenth in the table.
Liverpool's league record away at bottom half clubs under Brendan Rodgers is impressive. From twelve games, they've won eight, drawn two, and lost two.
Howard Webb is the referee today. There are four teams that he has reffed on five occasions: Hull, Leicester, Watford, and Real Madrid.
Liverpool have scored 14% and conceded 13% of their set piece shots this season; Hull have scored 4% and conceded 7%. The average for the Premier League is 9%. Hard to tell from this if there will be a set piece goal or not! But I suspect not.
Hull have only created fourteen open play chances in the centre of the box, the joint fewest in the league. Liverpool have created thirty-three, which is the seventh most.
The Reds have only allowed eighteen open play chances in the centre of their box, which is the second fewest in the top flight. Hull have allowed the fourth most (thirty-eight).
Liverpool have converted 10.1% of their chances this season, whilst Hull have scored 6.5% of theirs. The league average is 8%.
In view of all of the above, my prediction is 3-0 to Liverpool. Fingers crossed!
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