Miserly Hull City great value to dispatch Crystal Palace

Hull City have won nine games in 2013 by one goal to nil and the home side should be backed at 5/1 to make it 10 against Crystal Palace this afternoon.

Steve Bruce’s side were tipped to be relegation fodder at the start of the season following their promotion from the Championship, however the Humberside club have shown real resilience.

Although they have suffered on the road against sides in the top half of the table – they have lost to Man City, Everton, Spurs and Southampton – the Tigers have been a much meaner team on their home patch.

Bet on Hull to beat Crystal Palace at 10/11

They have only conceded one goal in five home ties in the league and Bruce’s side really have put the poorer sides down with little fuss.

Norwich, West Ham and Sunderland were all beaten by a solitary goal and Cardiff would have fallen to the same fate were it not for a second-half equaliser from Peter Whittingham.

Hull fans won’t be kidding themselves that they will finish in mid-table where they currently sit, however history has shown that these matches decide who stays up and who goes down.

Bet on Hull to win 1-0 at 5/1

The visitors this afternoon have shown spirit on occasion, but those glimpses have all been at home where a very vocal and loyal home following have helped to (partially) inspire their team.

Their only Premier League victory was at Selhurst Park against Sunderland, whilst their most recent result – a nil-nil draw against Everton in London – will also give fans hope.

However managerless Palace (for the time-being at least; Tony Pulis is rumoured to be appointed before long) have lost three of their four games against teams in the bottom half of the table.

Hull also look set to receive a boost from the return of top-scorer Robbie Brady who is 9/1 to score first.

The 21-year-old has three goals from seven matches and, along with powerful forward Yannick Sagbo, provides the main attacking threat for the home side.