Hull City get their Premier League campaign underway at home to Manchester United on Saturday afternoon.
The Tigers reached the Premier League via the play-offs last season after being expected by many to battle relegation, though a home game with the Red Devils represents something of a baptism of fire.
United were rejuvenated under Michael Carrick in the second half of last season, cruising to third place to secure UEFA Champions League football, and while their hectic fixture list may present a headache later in the campaign, Carrick's men should be fit and firing on Saturday afternoon.
The visitors will be without Mason Mount, whose knock initially jeopardised his chances of playing in their opening game of the season, though the latest news of a hamstring injury will rule him out of a trip to Humberside.
New signing Andrey Santos is expected to start in midfield alongside one of Youri Tielemans or Kobbie Mainoo, with Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez set to resume their partnership in defence, though Martinez's half an hour of pre-season may seen Ayden Heaven given the nod.
Benjamin Sesko is yet to feature in pre-season but is in training and is expected to feature from the bench. Bryan Mbeumo should start in his place, leaving Amad Diallo to occupy the right wing.
For the visitors, things are much more challenging, with boss Sergej Jakirovic already bemoaning his squad's injury woes. Eliot Matazo, Darko Gyabi, Jack Butland, Oscar Zambrano, Charlie Hughes, Joe Gelhardt and Hidemasa Morita will all miss the season opener through injury, while Cody Drameh and Matty Jacob are doubts.
Goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis is in line to make his debut for the club.
Hull City v Manchester United match info
Match | Hull City v Manchester United |
Competition | Premier League |
Venue | MKM Stadium |
Date | Saturday 22nd August |
Kick-off time | 12:30 BST |
Odds |
Predicted Hull team
Konstantinos Tzolakis
Lewie Coyle
Semi Ajayi
Nobel Mendy
John Egan
Ryan Giles
Regan Slater
Lucas Gourna-Douath
Mohamed Belloumi
Elliot Stroud
Oli McBurnie
Predicted Manchester United team
Senne Lammens
Diogo Dalot
Harry Maguire
Lisandro Martinez
Luke Shaw
Andrey Santos
Youri Tielemans
Amad Diallo
Bruno Fernandes
Matheus Cunha
Bryan Mbeumo
Odds displayed above correct at time of publishing and subject to change or withdrawal or any time.
