Talking Tactics | Hull City v Swansea City
Following defeat to Plymouth Argyle last time out, Swansea City head back on the road and travel to Yorkshire to take on Hull City on Saturday (3pm).
Ahead of the clash, WhoScored.com take a look at what to expect from the Tigers, the key battle and a key stat.
What to expect from Hull City
Liam Rosenior’s Hull side currently find themselves in the play-off places in sixth position, and come into this game on the back of consecutive wins over Sunderland and Millwall respectively.
An early goal from Jaden Philogene was enough to secure all three points for Hull in their most recent outing at the MKM stadium in that 1-0 victory over the Lions.
Saturday’s hosts have won three and lost three of their last six home matches in the Championship.
Rosenior tends to set his side up on a 4-2-3-1 formation with a defensive midfield duo protecting the back four.
WhoScored.com’s statistically-developed strengths for Hull include creating chances using through balls and individual skill.
In fact, Hull City players have been fouled more times than any other Championship side this season (387), with Swansea ranking third with 360 fouls against so far this term.
Key Battle
Philogene has been Hull’s star man so far this season and is the hosts highest-rated player (7.53) according to WhoScored.com. Only Crysencio Summerville (7.79), Jack Clarke (7.65) and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (7.55 ) boast a higher rating across all Championship players in this campaign.
Not only has Philogene scored seven goals already this season, but the 22-year-old has also contributed five assists, more than any of his colleagues.
Aside from his goal contributions, Philogene has been electric with the ball at his feet and ranks third for successful dribbles per game with an average of 2.8.
Swansea’s top goal contributor is, of course, Jamie Paterson. The 32-year-old has found the back of the net on five occasions already this season and provided four assists.
On top of his goal threat, Paterson has also made the most tackles of any Swansea player this season (44), and will have a key role to play.
Key Stat
Only the top two sides in the league, Southampton (90 per cent) and Leicester (88.8 per cent), boast a higher pass accuracy rate than Hull (86.6 per cent). Swansea come in slightly below that with a pass accuracy of 82 per cent.
Both games between these sides last season ended in a score draw and, in fact, four of the last six meetings have ended all square, with each side winning one apiece.