Hull City v Sunderland: Opportunity knocks for Tigers to boost their top-flight survival hopes

STEVE BRUCE believes victory tonight over his old club Sunderland would give Hull City an “outstanding chance” of staying in the Premier League.
HOPEFUL: Hull City manager Steve Bruce. Picture: Lynne Cameron/PA.HOPEFUL: Hull City manager Steve Bruce. Picture: Lynne Cameron/PA.
HOPEFUL: Hull City manager Steve Bruce. Picture: Lynne Cameron/PA.

The Tigers are four points clear of the drop zone in 15th place with 11 games to play.

Factor in a goal difference that is superior to all five of the sides below City in the table and Bruce’s men could, if they win tonight, open up what would, in effect, be an eight-point advantage over the bottom three.

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And even though Leicester City, Burnley and QPR are all in action tomorrow night, that would give Yorkshire’s sole top-flight representative a major fillip in the fight to avoid the drop.

Bruce said: “I won’t get any extra satisfaction from beating Sunderland. There has been too much water under the bridge.

“The only satisfaction would be from helping us enormously in the Premier League.

“If we can win it’s a four-point gap over them and, with the goal difference, that’s effectively five points.

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“It would be eight points clear, including our goal difference, of the bottom three. With 10 games to go that would be a huge swing.

“You would be asking those sides to win three when most of us have struggled to win six all season. It’s a big opportunity and we would have an outstanding chance of staying in this division if we can win this game.”

Hull are likely to face Wes Brown and John O’Shea after the former’s red card against Manchester United was rescinded yesterday by the FA.

Replays showed that it was O’Shea who should have been red carded for the foul that gave United a penalty, but referee Roger East insisting it was not a case of mistaken identity means the Irish defender will not face any punishment.

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Bruce, meanwhile, could bring forwards Nikica Jelavic and Dame N’Doye back into the starting XI as City look to claim a fifth straight win over the Black Cats.

Asked whether the fight to avoid the drop was now a six-way affair following weekend wins for Crystal Palace and West Brom, Bruce replied: “They are both still in there but it was certainly a big weekend for them, getting to the magical 30 points.

“Over recent years 36 points is often enough so you can understand the bookies odds on them.

“That has got to be our aim, getting up amongst those positions.”

City are still waiting to hear news of a scan into the calf injury that could rule Robbie Brady out for several weeks.

Minding the gap: Page 21.