Everton instantly lost the momentum of their previous home victory, a resounding thumping of Manchester United, with successive defeats at Sporting in the Europa League and Tottenham last Sunday, a result that made their outside hopes of a return to European football next season appear even more remote. Their undoubted low point of the season, however, came at Hull in November, when Phil Brown’s relegation-threatened team coasted to a three-goal lead inside 28 minutes. The possible return of Jimmy Bullard from a three-month injury lay-off offers Hull much-needed hope in their bid for survival. Andy Hunter

Venue Goodison Park, Sunday 4pm

Tickets £29-35 (0871 663 1878)

Last season Everton 2 Hull 0

Referee L Mason

This season’s matches 16 Y45, R4, 3.06 cards per game

Odds Everton 2-5 Hull 10-1 Draw 15-4

Everton

Subs from Nash, Yobo, Jagielka, Senderos, Bilyaletdinov, Vaughan, Anichebe, Duffy, Cahill, Gosling, Coleman, Agard, Baxter, Wallace

Doubtful Cahill (calf), Jagielka (thigh), Osman (foot), Senderos (hip), Vaughan (thigh)

Injured Hibbert, hernia, 20 Mar), Saha (hamstring, 20 Mar), Fellaini (ankle, Aug)

Suspended None

Form guide LWWLWW

Disciplinary record Y47 R2

Leading scorer Saha 13

Hull

Subs from Duke, Kilbane, Mendy, Olofinjana, Marney, Garcia, Altidore, Ghilas, Boateng, Folan, Zaki, Sonko

Doubtful Bullard (knee), Geovanni (knee), Marney (calf), Olofinjana (ankle)

Injured Ashbee (knee, Aug), Gardner (ankle, unknown)

Suspended Fagan (one match)

Form guide LLWDDL

Disciplinary record Y50 R4

Leading scorer Hunt 6

Match pointers

• Hull have failed to score in eight of their last 10 away league games

• Steven Pienaar has picked up five yellow cards in his last four Premier League games

• James Vaughan scored the fastest Premier League goal by a substitute this season, 1min and 42sec after coming off the bench

•Hull have allowed their opponents 382 shots – more than any other side in the top flight this season

• Everton have scored at least twice in seven of their last eight meetings with Hull in all competitions

Premier LeagueEvertonHull Cityguardian.co.uk

• Hit with £40,000 and £20,000 sanctions respectively
• Hull settle legal dispute with former chairman Duffen

Hull have been fined £40,000 and Arsenal £20,000 for failing to control their players during their league match on 19 December. The bad-tempered encounter, which Arsenal won 3-0, erupted shortly before half-time when Samir Nasri appeared to tread on the ankle of Hull’s Richard Garcia.

Stephen Hunt then clashed with Nasri and a mass confrontation took place in front of referee Steve Bennett, with Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia sprinting 100 yards to get involved.

Players from both sides became embroiled in ugly scenes with Bennett eventually booking Hunt and Nasri.

“At a regulatory commission hearing this week, Arsenal and Hull City were fined for failing to control their players during a match at the Emirates Stadium in December,” read a statement from the Football Association. “The clubs were charged in relation to a mass confrontation between players from both sides during the fixture on 19 December. Hull admitted the charge. Arsenal denied the charge but the commission found it proved.

“Both clubs have also been warned as to their future conduct.”

Meanwhile, Hull have settled their legal dispute with former chairman Paul Duffen out of court. The club began proceedings against Duffen last month after accusing him of spending company money for private use during his time in charge.

Hull also alleged Duffen’s company received payments from agents in return for allowing those same agents to negotiate transfers on the club’s behalf.

A statement read: “Further to a statement made on 22 January 2010 regarding legal action commenced by Hull City against its former chief executive officer, we are pleased to confirm that we have agreed settlement on terms satisfactory to the club.

“This agreement brings to an end all disputes between the parties.”

Duffen resigned from his position as executive chairman last October, soon after the publication of an alarming set of financial results. He was succeeded by his predecessor Adam Pearson.

Hull CityArsenalguardian.co.uk