We have a clash between one of the biggest clubs in the Championship and one of the smallest when Hull take on Burton Albion this weekend. Hull have just been relegated from the big money Premier League, while Burton have a ground holding just a few thousand people.
It is a David v Goliath match up, but Hull are not unbeatable on the pitch and it wouldn’t be the biggest surprise in the world to see Burton take something from this game. Both performed with credit last weekend, and neither team won their game, so they will be looking to record their first win of the Championship season here.
Hull Form
Coming down from the Premier League, Hull will be expected to challenge for promotion this year, but I don’t believe they are good enough. After losing a number of players in the summer it looks to me like they are happy to mount a promotion challenge next season, and use this season to steady the ship.
They began their Championship season with a very good draw away from home against Aston Villa. They drew the game 1-1, fighting to come back from behind after Villa opened the scoring early in the game. Aston Villa are a team who I believe will be up near the top of the table, so that was a great result for Hull.
They may take a few more games to get used to the Championship, but performances like last weekend will mean they win more games than they lose.
Burton Albion Form
Burton are likely to be involved in the relegation battle this season, just like they were last season. They struggle to keep up with a lot of the team financially in this league and that will always be their biggest challenge. Anything they do get from this game will be seen as a bonus and they will be targeting home games, and games against their rivals as the ones to pick up points from.
Last weekend Burton came so close to registering a point on the opening day of the season but were denied by a late Cardiff goal. They lost 1-0 in a home game that they would have been targeting as a game they could get something from. It wasn’t to be for them and they now need to pick themselves back up and go again on this tough trip to Hull.
Team News
Hull have lost a lot of key players from last season and have a squad that desperately needs investment. They do however have bits of quality, including Michael Dawson who marshals the defence, while ever he remains at the club they should do well defensively. I am expecting to see a similar line up to the one that played away to Aston Villa, with Jarrod Bowen getting the chance to play again after his goal in that game.
Burton are not blessed with the biggest squad in the league due to their financial restraints. That means they are likely to field a team similar to the one who played last weekend, which has many players on it from last season. That togetherness will help Burton early, but the trip to Hull is going to be very tough for them.
Top Betting Tips
While I don’t think Hull have the ability to challenge for promotion this season, I do believe they are a good team and will win a lot more games than they lose. They began life in the Championship last weekend very well, drawing 1-1 with Aston Villa, despite not looking like a complete team. There is more to come from Hull, especially if they manage to bring in a couple of new faces.
Burton are destined to struggle every year they play in the Championship and this year looks no different. They will always struggle financially and simply haven’t got the money to compete with the big boys at the top. Having said that, they do know how to battle and how to grind out points, but away trips to big clubs often don’t go well for them.
I am going to back Hull to win this game, but because they are no value as a single bet, I will be picking a correct score. I am going to back Hull to win the game 2-0, which is priced at 13/2 with William Hill and represents good value. Hull are capable of keeping a clean sheet against Burton, and finding a way to win the game.