Follow every kick as Stoke City take on Hull City at Britannia Stadium in the Premier League
on 03-Apr-2010, kick off time 15:00
Stoke City v Hull City Live
These two sides have experienced rather different campaigns this season, with Stoke City, under the steady leadership of Tony Pulis, enjoying the safe environs of mid-table. Hull, on the other hand, have endured a difficult season, with performances on the pitch and politics off it severely souring the Tigers' second Premier League campaign. Hull appointed Iain Dowie in an attempt to clamber out of the relegation mire and the visitors to the Britannia Stadium at the weekend will be desperate to secure all three points. However, with four of the last six meetings between the two sides ending in draws, another share of the points may well be on the cards. Struggling Hull have lost all of their last five games on the road although Tigers' fans can take solace in the fact that Stoke are on a run of four home games without a win. Injuries are not helping Hull's cause and they will travel to Stoke without the services of Anthony Gardner, Stephen Hunt, Kamil Zayatte, Andy Dawson and Amr Zaki. The Potters themselves are likely to be without defender Ryan Shawcross and midfielder Salif Diao for this game, while striker James Beattie is a long-term doubt with a knee injury. However, striker Ricardo Fuller is fit and raring to go after his superb solo strike against West Ham last week. Stoke manager Tony Pulis was full of praise for his Jamaican striker after the West Ham game. "He loves picking up the ball around the box and he's so strong and his feet are so quick that he leaves people for dead," explained Pulis. The Potters manager has also shed light on the club's targets for the remainder of the season. "Getting 45 points in the first year in the Premier League was fantastic after we had been written off by everybody - to get 46 and better last year's total would be great if we can do it," said Pulis, who will be looking to take a step in that direction over the weekend. Hull City's star and scorer of two spot-kicks in three games, Jimmy Bullard, also recognises the importance of the task ahead, saying: "Stoke will be a big game for us, but then every game from now is a big one."
Source: DSG
