Visitors Preston North End could secure Championship survival if they beat relegation-threatened Hull City on Monday at the MKM Stadium.
Hull are fifth last in 20th place with 45 points and are just two points and two places from the relegation zone, whereas Preston are 17th with 49 points, though they did suffer a 2-1 defeat against Queens Park Rangers on Friday.
Match preview
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The hosts defended well for large periods against Swansea City on April 18 – facing just 0.6 xG from open play – but a 51st-minute penalty condemned them to a 1-0 loss against the Swans.
Hull's form in front of goal has been concerning in the final stages of the season, with the club failing to find the back of the net three times in their last five games.
Just three points separate the Tigers from 23rd-placed Cardiff City, and it should be noted that the home side face 21st-placed Derby County in their second last match of the season on April 26.
Head coach Ruben Selles's side are winless in three outings – losing twice – and they have only won once in their past six, suffering three defeats.
Hull should be credited for their positive home record having triumphed in two, drawn two and lost just one of their five most recent games at the MKM Stadium.
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Opponents Preston created both of their two big chances against QPR in the first half and took a 1-0 lead heading into the interval, but the victors struck the back of the net twice in the final 16 minutes to claim all three points.
The Lilywhites have conceded at least two goals in five of their last six matches, though their record of 53 goals conceded makes them the second-best defensive side in the bottom 13.
Manager Paul Heckingbottom oversaw a 1-0 triumph against Hull in the reverse fixture on December 26, with his side being held to three goalless stalemates in their prior four encounters against the Tigers while losing once.
If Heckingbottom's side win against Hull, he will need one of Luton Town or Derby County to lose on Monday for his team to guarantee their safety.
Preston supporters will be concerned by their team's performances heading to MKM Stadium considering the visitors have been beaten in four of their six most recent outings and were held to draws in the other two.
Heckingbottom's team are also winless in their last five away fixtures, succumbing to defeat on four occasions.
Team News
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Hull attacker Matt Crooks was sent off against Swansea and joins injured forwards Mohamed Belloumi, Louie Barry, Liam Millar and Dogukan Sinik on the sidelines.
Joe Gelhardt, Kasey Palmer and Lincoln could therefore play in attacking roles behind centre-forward Joao Pedro Galvao.
Regan Slater and Gustavo Puerta partnered each other in the middle of the pitch in their side's most recent match, and they will likely do so on Monday given midfielder Eliot Matazo has been ruled out.
Preston will not be able to select midfielders Alistair McCann and Ryan Ledson, making Sam Greenwood, Benjamin Whiteman and Stefan Teitur Thordarson the most probable candidates to start together on Monday.
Shot-stopper David Cornell could be protected by centre-backs Jordan Storey, Liam Lindsay and Andrew Hughes considering defender Jack Whatmough and goalkeeper Freddie Woodman will play no part as a result of injury.
Hull City possible starting lineup:
Pandur; Coyle, Egan, Hughes, McLoughlin; Slater, Puerta; Gelhardt, Palmer, Lincoln; Galvao
Preston North End possible starting lineup:
Cornell; Storey, Lindsay, Hughes; Kesler-Hayden, Greenwood, Whiteman, Thordarson, Brady; Osmajic, Frokjaer-Jensen
We say: Hull City 2-1 Preston North End
Preston's poor form at the back may see them concede more than once on Monday, and it is difficult to see them finding the back of the net on multiple occasions.
Hull have also been resilient at home in recent weeks, and it would not be surprising if they took advantage of the visitors' struggles.
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Lewis Nolan
