Downplaying the significance of the meeting of the teams in 18th and 19th positions did not appear to be an option for Iain Dowie. “You can use any adjective you like,” he said. “Colossal or humungous, but the importance of it is scary.” Burnley endured a scary Saturday last week, losing 6-1 to Manchester City, meaning that, while relegation is only a possibility for Hull, it is probability for them. The visitors’ destiny may be clearer, but manager Brian Laws’ future has been the subject of speculation. He needs a result. So do Hull. Richard Jolly

Venue KC Stadium, Saturday 3pm

Tickets £32.50 (01482 505600)

Last season n/a

Referee M Atkinson

This season’s matches 25 Y100, R4, 4.16 cards per game

Odds Hull 3-4 Burnley 4-1 Draw 13-5

Hull

Subs from Duke, Gardner, Mendy, Olofinjana, Barmby, Ghilas, Kilbane, Folan, Vennegoor of Hesselink, Cooper, Cairney, Garcia

Doubtful Boateng (concussion), Cooper (ankle)

Injured Hunt (foot, 17 Apr), Zaki (knee, 17 Apr), Gardner (ankle, 24 Apr), Zayatte (knee, 24 Apr), Ashbee (knee, Aug)

Suspended None

Form guide LWLLLL

Disciplinary record Y58 R5

Leading scorer Hunt 6

Burnley

Subs from Penny, Weaver, Kalvenes, Duff, Gudjonsson, Elliott, Cort, Blake, Bikey, Jordan, Thompson, Eagles

Doubtful Jordan (knee)

Injured McCann (knee, unknown)

Suspended None

Form guide LLLLDL

Disciplinary record Y51 R2

Leading scorer S Fletcher 8

Match pointers

• Hull have not been beaten at home by Burnley in any competition since losing 2-0 at Boothferry Park in the old Division Three in 1992

• Four of the last five meetings between these sides have ended 2-0

• Burnley have had 74 more shots than Hull this season but have only found the net on one more occasion

• Burnley and Hull have picked up 49 of their combined 54 points (91%) at home this season

• Hull have conceded more goals from corners (10) than any other side

Premier LeagueHull CityBurnleyguardian.co.uk

• Hull launch lawsuit against former chairman
• Club have frozen Duffen’s assets

Hull City have accused the club’s former chairman Paul Duffen of spending company money for his own personal use. The club yesterday confirmed they have issued legal proceedings against Duffen in the High Court and today issued a statement saying they have been successful in freezing his assets.

Hull also allege that Duffen’s company received payments from agents in return for using those agents to deal with transfers.

The club said in a statement: “The company believes that Mr Duffen has acted in breach of his employment contracts and fiduciary duties as a director, through the use of company monies for his own personal expenditure and other wrongdoings.

“The company also believes that he has acted in breach of his employment contracts and fiduciary duties as a director, through the payment of certain monies by third party football agents to Mr Duffen’s services company, in return for which Mr Duffen procured that Hull City contract with the agents for business.

“Consequently, on 15 January last, the company successfully sought and obtained a High Court order freezing Mr Duffen’s assets.

“The company also wishes to clarify that, contrary to a tabloid newspaper article today, Mr Duffen has not issued any legal proceedings against the company and Hull City does not believe he has any basis whatsoever for doing so.”

Hull Cityguardian.co.uk