Two teams in serious trouble face off in a classic 6-pointer as Hull City hosts Leicester City at 10am ET live online at NBC Sports Live Extra.
Leicester is bottom of the Premier League table, winless in its last 13 matches, sporting a terrible six straight losses and just one point in its last 11.
To make matters worse, the Foxes are still without starting goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel as he recovers from a broken foot, so 27-year-old Englishman Ben Hamer will continue to deputize between the sticks. Schmeichel had been a major asset before his injury.
The visitors are also without forward Jamie Vardy, who was suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card on boxing day. Striker Chris Wood is back from an infection and is on the bench.
WATCH LIVE: Hull City vs Leicester City live online at NBC Sports Live Extra
Hull City manager Steve Bruce declared this game bigger than last year’s FA Cup final, and while that seems a bit hard to believe to the fullest extent, it’s easy to understand why he would say such a thing. The Tigers are just a point above the drop zone, but climbed out of the danger area with an impressive comeback over Sunderland on Boxing Day. If Bruce can capitalize on that momentum, they could make a run.
He will be without defender James Chester, who is on five yellows, and Jake Livermore will replace him in the midfield as Hull looks to go three at the back.
LINEUPS:
Hull City: McGregor, Rosenior, Bruce, Davies, Meyler, Brady, Livermore, Aluko, Ramirez, Elmohamady, Quinn.
Bench: Harper, Figueroa, Maguire, Ince, Sagbo, Hernandez, Jelavic.
Leicester City: Hamer, Simpson, Wasilewski, Morgan, Konchesky, Cambiasso, James, Mahrez, Nugent, Schlupp, Ulloa.
Bench: Smith, De Laet, Drinkwater, Hammond, Moore, Knockaert, Wood.