Middlesbrough v Hull preview: Mike Phelan turns attentions to league

Hull will be hoping to build on their run to the semi-finals of the EFL Cup when they travel to Middlesbrough on Monday Night Football.

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"For me personally, it's something special because I spent most of my career at Old Trafford as a player and as a coach," he said.

"But it might as well be a million miles away because we have a lot of important fixtures before we get to the first leg [in January]."

Hull have won just once in the league since August and defeat on Monday would cut them four points adrift of their hosts.

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Team news

Hull midfielders Ryan Mason and Sam Clucas are back in contention after missing the EFL Cup win with illness and suspension respectively.

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Striker Dieumerci Mbokani starts a three-game suspension following his midweek dismissal but Abel Hernandez (groin) and midfielder Shaun Maloney (back) have not been ruled out of a possible return to action.

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These two teams have met just twice in the Premier League, where they shared a victory each in the 2008/09 season.

Hull have won two of their last three league meetings with Middlesbrough; as many as they had won in their previous 13 beforehand (D4 L7).

Alvaro Negredo scored on his only previous Premier League appearance against Hull City in August 2013 for Manchester City.

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Negredo has been directly involved in six Premier League goals this season (three goals, three assists); more than any other Middlesbrough player.

After winning his first two games in charge against Leicester and Swansea, Mike Phelan has overseen just one win in the last 11 Premier League contests (D2 L8).

Hull City have never won a Premier League game played on a Monday (W0 D3 L4), while Middlesbrough have won five of their last seven Monday PL clashes at the Riverside (L2).

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Paul Merson's prediction

Hull have got to highlight this game and try to have a go. There are lots of games between now and May in which Hull won't have a chance in. It's games like these they need to make count.

I like watching these types of games as there are always goals. Just look what happened in the West Brom v Burnley game.

Everyone thought it would be low scoring but it's a game where both teams have to go for it, which usually results in plenty of chances. These are games that teams down the bottom need to win. I like Middlesbrough - I think they'll win a high scoring game.

PAUL PREDICTS: 3-1 (18/1 with Sky Bet)