Manchester City: Citizens Travel to Hull on Boxing Day

Hull City’s Scottish midfielder Robert Snodgrass (R) vies with Manchester City’s Argentinian defender Nicolas Otamendi (L) during the English League Cup quarter-final football match between Manchester City and Hull City at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northwest England on December 1, 2015. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLISRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / AFP / PAUL ELLIS (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) /

Manchester City Look to Make it three league wins in a row on Monday as they travel to Hull City.

After wins over Watford and Arsenal respectively, Pep Guardiola‘s side travel to bottom-place Hull on Boxing Day with 2016 coming to a close.

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An important win over the Gunners a week ago put the Citizens in third-place, now seven points behind leaders Chelsea in the standings. Sergio Aguero will be serving the final game of a four-match ban, while Fernandinho should be available as he returns from a suspension. Pablo Zabaleta will have a fitness test on his own knee problem.

Hull, who are winless since November 6th, have lost back-to-back matches at Tottenham and West Ham respectively. Mike Phelan‘s team started off their promotion campaign strong winning their opening two matches but have struggled since.

BBC Sport‘s Steve Bower felt that Manchester City should keep winning with a stern test approaching against Liverpool on New Years Eve. “I was at the Etihad last Sunday and as the full-time whistle blew, you felt the significance of the result around the stadium. Manchester City have another stern test on the horizon at Anfield but first they must keep winning here. And they’ll need different qualities to make it three in a row before Sergio Aguero returns.”

With a Boxing Day clash coming tomorrow in the EPL, here are my three things to watch.

1.) Look for Manchester City to win by a couple.
After a convincing comeback win over Arsenal, Manchester City will need to win this game to prepare for Liverpool. Hull are at the bottom of the table, and cannot find any consistency. To be a title contender, Pep’s team need to find consistency especially against teams on the other half of the table. Also, being on the road, they need to be able to win games not only at the Etihad. Using this game as a tune-up, I see Manchester City winning by a couple against a horrid back-line.

2.) Hull will look to play spoiler.
Hull took the scalps of defending champs Leicester on the opening weekend. Since then, they haven’t found any consistency winning matches. They can provide a tough test for Manchester City by defending in numbers. Players like Robert Snodgrass and Tom Huddlestone are leaders in the midfield that can provide a spark offensively if needed. With Abel Hernandez out till the new year, Adama Diomande (two goals) most-likely will start up-top. I don’t see Hull hanging on for a full 90 minutes, but I still believe they could frustrate Pep’s side if they work as a unit.

3.) Player to Watch — Robert Snodgrass
The Scottish international has easily been Hull’s best player this season. Snodgrass, 29, has five league goals and two assists to lead Hull in scoring this season. He possesses the ability to score from free-kicks and can also provide the build-up play for Phelan’s team. For Hull to have a chance of staying in the top-flight this season they will need secondary help to go with their top midfielder. Expect Snodgrass to see a lot of the ball for Hull tomorrow at the KCOM.

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Hull could provide a stern test but overall I see Manchester City winning 3-0 on the road. A good win will prepare the Citizens for a road-trip to Merseyside on New Years Eve.