With just eight points from five league matches, there are some who feel that Manchester City are suffering from a post-title hangover. There are others who see a team that is still extremely good, but is struggling a bit with a combination of injuries and inconsistent play.
Hull City vs. Manchester City live stream: How to watch EPL online, TV schedule and more
City are fresh off a big win in the league cup as they travel to face Hull City, a team notorious for wasting leads late in games this season.
Alex Livesey
Whatever you opinion, the fact remains that City is still a very good team and they've gotten a bit unlucky in a few games recently, with results that should have been wins ending up as draws. The team showed real resolved last weekend managing a draw against Chelsea after losing Pablo Zabaleta to a dumb red card, so there shouldn't be any doubt about their resolve.
Assuming the Blues eventually slip-up, City will need to make sure they win the games they should be winning to keep pressure on Jose Mourinho's side. One of the games is Saturday as they travel to face Hull City, a team notorious this season for taking leads and losing them late.
Key Player: Sergio Agüero (Manchester City)
City is a better team when Sergio Agüero is on the field. He’s a lethal goal scorer, he’s got a cool umlaut over a letter his last name, and he’s also more fragile that your grandmother’s vase that for some reason is always displayed in a spot that frequently leads to it getting knocked to the floor. If Agüero could stay healthy, we’d be raining down praise upon him with the frequency usually reserved for the likes of Messi or Ronaldo. Instead, we know he’s really good, but also know he’s going to get hurt sooner, rather than later.
Key Matchup: Hull City vs. Their propensity for late collapses
Hull City have held a lead late in their last four matches and in each case, they’ve either ended up losing or having to settle for a draw. It’s an ugly trend for Steve Bruce’s side that is bordering on becoming a habit. The Tigers have to find a way to play a 90 minute match, they have to find a way to take advantage of having the lead and holding on for three points instead of one, or none. City may not give them a chance to have a lead on Saturday, but if they do, you can best that City won’t be thinking they can’t come back.
Hull City injuries and suspensions
Out: David Meyler (back), Gaston Ramirez (groin).
Manchester City injuries and suspensions
Out: Samir Nasri (groin), Stevan Jovetic (hamstring), Fernando (groin)
City will be without the trip of Nasr, Jovetic and Fernando who are all sidelined with muscle related injuries. On the plus side Pablo Zabaleta returns from a one-match ban, while Sergio Agüero and David Silva are both fit as well. Hull's David Meyler is a doubt with a back problem, while Gaston Ramirez's groin could sideline the striker.
Match Date/Time: Saturday, 3 p.m. local, 10 a.m. ET
Venue: Kingston Communications Stadium, Hull, England
TV: Premier League Extra Time (U.S.), Sportsnet World (Canada)
Online: NBC Live Extra (U.S.)
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