4th May HULL CITY - ARSENAL

• Hull City have lost five and drawn one of the last six Barclays Premier League games against Arsenal, including defeats in all three games at the KC Stadium.
• The Gunners have won eight and lost none of the last nine meetings with Hull in all competitions.
• Alexis Sanchez has scored in both of his appearances this season against Hull City.
• Olivier Giroud has scored six goals in his last seven Premier League away matches
• Arsenal have won their last four Premier League away games all by a one-goal margin.
• The Gunners haven't conceded a first half goal in their last 13 Premier League matches.
• Arsene Wenger's side have more points after 33 games this season than any campaign since 2009-10; this despite having fewer points after 12 games than any other Premier League campaign.
• Hull come in to this game on the back of a two game winning streak - they have only won three PL games in a row on one previous occasion; October 2008, when they won four successive PL matches.
• Danny Welbeck has scored just four goals in 27 Premier League appearances this season - he's scored more goals for England (six in seven games) since August.
• Since their return to the Premier League in August 2013, Hull's Ahmed Elmohamady has fired in 429 crosses from open play - 89 more than any other player.

Prediction

Hull City are coming into this game on the back of a vital 1-0 home victory against Liverpool. Previous to this they beat Crystal Palace 2-0 at Selhurst Park. These 2 victories look to have come at the right time for Steve Bruce’s side and Hull currently sit in 15th place on 34 points which is 4 points above the drop zone. Hull’s recent home record reads W4, D4, L7.

When playing the top sides of the Premier League Hull City’s home record reads a mediocre looking W2, D1, L7 and Hull can be backed at around 5.65. If you do fancy Hull to do well here then they can be backed on the Asian Handicap + 0.5/1.0 goals at around 2.00.

The recent head-to-head record at the KC Stadium reads Hull 0 wins, 0 draws and Arsenal 2 wins. The draw can be backed at around 3.90 and this looks to offer some small value.

After winning 8 Premier League matches on the bounce Arsene Wenger’s side had to settle for a 0-0 draw at home to Champions elect Chelsea. Arsenal are in a rich vein of form at the moment and their recent away record reads W9, D1, L5. When facing teams of Hull’s stature Arsenal’s away record reads a very solid looking W8, D1, L1 and the Gunners can be backed at around 1.70. If you do fancy Arsenal to win then their price can be enhanced by backing them on the -0.5/1.0 goal handicap at around 1.93.

As far as goals are concerned then the stats are leaning to unders. When looking at both sides last 10 respective home and away matches to similar opposition. In the 20 matches, 8 games have seen 3 or more goals and 12 games have seen 2 or less goal scored. Also 9 of Hull’s last 13 home games have seen 2 or less goals. Under 2.5 goals can be backed at around 1.94.

This is a very interesting matchup that both sides will be keen to win. Hull are looking to climb further out of the relegation zone and Arsenal will certainly be looking to finish in 3rd place at the very worst, so as to ensure automatic qualification for next seasons Champions League. My ratings suggest that this game is priced pretty much spot on. On the goal line my leaning would be to unders. For my trade I am going to go with the away side. When facing similar opposition in both sides last 10 respective home and away games the away side have won 17 of these 20 matches and 11 have been won by 2 goals or more so my recommended trade for this match is Arsenal -0.5/1.0 goals at around 1.93.