Every away game will provoke trepidation until Manchester United can once more send out a group of fit, established defenders. Although Hull are no Fulham, who beat Sir Alex Ferguson’s side 3-0, they will see an opportunity. The home team are just above the relegation zone but that ought to make them all the keener to grasp any opportunity presented to them. Hull’s problem is that they, too, are vulnerable and United should attack with far more purpose than they did at Craven Cottage. Kevin McCarra

Venue KC Stadium

Tickets Sold out

Last season Hull 0 Manchester United 1

Referee A Wiley

This season’s matches 14 Y43, R3, 3.29 cards per game

sportingbet odds Hull 13-2 Manchester United 7-20 Draw 7-2

Hull

Subs from Duke, Moukoyolo, Kilbane, Mendy, Cousin, Marney, Altidore, Ghilas, Sonko, Vennegoor of Hesselink, Halmosi

Doubtful None

Injured Barmby (calf, 9 Jan), Bullard (knee, 30 Jan), Ashbee (knee, May)

Suspended None

Form guide LDLDWD

Disciplinary record Y36 R2

Leading scorers Geovanni, Hunt 3

Manchester United

Subs from Foster, Fletcher, Anderson, Owen, Rafael, Giggs, Welbeck, Gibson, Obertan, Tosic, Fabio

Doubtful Giggs (hamstring), Neville (calf), Rafael (ankle), Vidic (calf)

Injured Van der Sar (knee, unknown), Brown (hamstring, 30 Dec), Macheda (hamstring, 30 Dec), Nani (ankle, 2 Jan), J Evans (calf, 9 Jan), O’Shea (thigh, 9 Jan), Ferdinand (back, unknown), Hargreaves (knee, unknown)

Suspended None

Form guide LWLWWW

Disciplinary record Y29 R2

Leading scorer Rooney 12

Match pointers

• Manchester United have not drawn away from home since December 2008, a run of 19 games encompassing 14 wins and five draws

• 65% of the goals Hull have scored have come in the first half, the highest proportion in the division

• United are the only Premier League team not to drop any points from a leading position this season

• Hull have failed to score in three consecutive games, their second such run this season, they have never gone four Premier League games without a goal

• No team that has lost five of their opening 18 Premier League matches has ever won the title

Hull CityManchester Unitedguardian.co.uk

One of the reasons Hull have improved in recent weeks is because their manager, Phil Brown, is spending more time coaching and less in the media, according to the City chairman, Adam Pearson. Unfortunately for the Tigers, an even bigger reason for their resurgence, Jimmy Bullard, is crocked again and is likely to be replaced by Seyi Olofinjana. After beating Chelsea in the Carling Cup and easily holding Liverpool in the league, Blackburn will fancy their chances of ending Hull’s run of five home matches unbeaten. Richard Rae

Venue KC Stadium Tickets £27.50-£32.50 (01482 505600) Last season Hull 1 Blackburn 1 Referee C Foy

This season’s matches 12 Y36, R2, 3.17 cards per game

sportingbet odds Hull 17-10 Blackburn 7-5 Draw 11-5

Hull City

Subs from Duke, Garcia, Mouyokolo, Kilbane, Barmby, Cairney, Ghilas, Geovanni, Fagan, Vennegoor of Hesselink

Doubtful Dawson (thigh), Gardner (knee)

Injured Bullard (knee, Feb), Ashbee (knee, May)

Suspended None

Form guide LDWDWL Disciplinary record Y30 R2

Leading scorer Geovanni, Hunt 3

Blackburn Rovers

Subs from Salgado, Andrews, Pedersen, Roberts, Jacobsen, Hoilett, Olsson, Brown, Kalinic.

Doubtful None

Injured Dunn (calf, 15 Dec)

Suspended None

Form guide DDLWWL

Disciplinary record Y22 R1

Leading scorer Dunn 5

Match pointers

• Hull have committed 229 fouls this season – more than any other team in the division

• Blackburn have been caught offside a league high 53 times – six more than any other team

• Hull have allowed their opponents 93 shots on target, more than any other team in the top flight

• Blackburn have recouped nine points from losing positions this season, the joint-most in the division

• Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink has mustered just two shots on target in the league this term but has scored with both

Hull CityBlackburn RoversPremier Leagueguardian.co.uk