Sunderland can expect ‘stern challenge’ as expert shares Hull City gameplan, but Black Cats will have ‘field day’ in one area

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As Sunderland look to get back to winning ways against Hull City this weekend, we touched base with an expert on the Tigers to find out what Regis Le Bris can expect from his next opponents.

On paper, Sunderland should make light work of a Hull City side who currently sit one place and one point above the Championship drop zone.

Even more so, you’d expect the Black Cats to triumph on home soil, with the Stadium of Light proving to be a real fortress this season as Sunderland have gone unbeaten at home all year.

But, as we’ve seen in the not-so-recent past, Regis Le Bris’ men are prone to dropping points at home against struggling opposition (just ask Plymouth Argyle).

So, if you’re reading this, Regis, here is all the information you need on Hull City, from their strengths, to their weaknesses, and how their new signings have been performing.

• READ MORE: Sunderland given referee for Hull City clash who recently ‘cost the game’ for Championship side

What will Ruben Selles’ gameplan be for Sunderland clash?

We spoke to our very own Hull City expert, Tom Griffin, and picked his brain about what kind of approach Ruben Selles is likely to take for the upcoming fixture. Given Hull are away and desperate for any points at the moment, you’d be forgiven for thinking they would park the bus here, but that shouldn’t be the case.

Griffin said: “Refreshingly, we’ve not really sat back under Ruben Selles, and as seen against Sheffield United, we pressed high and got the rewards. Selles will be aware of the threats Sunderland carry in transition but I wouldn’t expect us to sit ten men behind the ball.

“On the other hand, we’re not going to come out all guns blazing. We’ve actually performed better against sides chasing promotion, and although I’m not confident of a positive result, we should at least give Sunderland a stern challenge.”

Sounds like anyone looking to watch Sunderland vs Hull this weekend will be in for an enthralling contest at the very least.

Where can Hull City hurt Sunderland?

While Hull may be languishing in 21st place in the Championship table, they’ve still managed to frustrate some top teams of late, including Sheffield United and Leeds United.

Discussing where Hull can hurt Sunderland, Griffin added: “It’s been a difficult season for us in front of goal. Joao Pedro is our top scorer in the league, and he’s only netted five times. We haven’t been helped by season-ending injuries to Mo Belloumi and Liam Millar, who were our biggest threats in the early stages.

“That being said, Joe Gelhardt is set for a fascinating battle up against Dennis Cirkin. He’s looked lively since arriving from Leeds, while Matt Crooks has two goals in six appearances since joining, including a superb strike against Sheffield United. Crooks and Gelhardt are perhaps the pick of the bunch, along with the work rate of Pedro.”

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
19	Stoke CityStoke City	32	8	11	13	31	40	-9	35
20	CardiffCardiff	32	7	11	14	35	54	-19	32
21	Hull CityHull City	32	7	9	16	32	43	-11	30
22	DerbyDerby	33	7	8	18	33	46	-13	29

Sunderland fans have noticed Cirkin has been out-of-sorts lately, so the fact he is coming up against Hull’s strongest threat will certainly be a concern for the Black Cats this weekend.

• READ MORE: Sunderland predicted XI vs Hull City as Regis Le Bris has huge Jobe Bellingham decision to make

Sunderland will have a ‘field day’ against Hull’s full-backs

Still, while Hull do have their threats, there’s no denying that Sunderland’s attacking talents will be expected to make something happen on Saturday. In fact, Griffin believes certain Sunderland players will relish facing Hull.

On Hull’s weaknesses, he said: “Quite simply, Sunderland should have a field day against our full-backs. It’s a position we’ve been haunted by all season long. Lewie Coyle’s performances have dropped off a cliff and it’s scary to imagine the joy Enzo Le Fee could have against him.

“On the other flank, we’ve been using Sean McLoughlin as a makeshift left back, as we failed to address that issue in January. He lacks real mobility and pace, so again, Patrick Roberts will be licking his lips.”

What will be interesting, then, is whether Le Bris does keep Le Fee out wide on the left, or if the now-fit Romaine Mundle comes into the starting lineup, allowing the Frenchman to move more centrally.

Have Hull City’s new signings made an impact?

Finally, we asked for a word on the new signings Hull City made in the winter window, namely what kind of impact former Sunderland target Louie Barry has had.

Griffin replied: “John Egan looked solid at the back against Norwich after signing from Burnley and, as alluded to earlier, Crooks has offered a goal threat from midfield.

“But, it’s hard to assess how Louie Barry has done, given he’s only started one of his three Championship appearances. That did come last time out, though, and he looked lively on the left flank, so perhaps he can provide some magic up against Trai Hume.”