Wolves facing tough Hull test
Like Wolves, Hull City have come into the 2017/18 season as an unknown quantity.
More than half heir team may still be familiar but it's the appointment of Russian manager Leonid Slutsky that raised a few eyebrows and had pundits and bookies unsure of what to forecast (the Tigers are currently fifth favourites at 14/1).
Former CSKA Moscow and Russia boss Slutsky may be a relative unknown to the wider football world but he's quickly won favour with a fanbase frustrated with owner Assem Allam, who famously wanted to change the club's name to Hull Tigers.
The early signs have been promising.
New players include Swedish midfielder Sebastian Larsson from Sunderland, another midfielder Kevin Stewart from Liverpool, Chelsea loanees Ola Aina and Michael Hector and former loanee Frazier Campbell who has moved on a permanent deal from Crystal Palace.
Out have gone Curtis Davies, Harry Maguire (to Leicester for £17m), Tom Huddlestone, Ahmed Elmohamady and Andy Robertson.
Uruguayan international striker Abel Hernandez has, perhaps surprisingly, stayed with the Tigers for his second season of Championship football.
That's great news for Slutsky considering he scored 22 goals in their 2015/16 promotion campaign. And Hernandez, who has only scored a total of eight Premier League goals in two seasons, showed yet again that he's far more comfortable at Championship level when netting a hat-trick in Saturday's 4-1 win over Burton Albion.
That followed up a solid opening-day 1-1 draw at Villa.
There were only 14,882 at the KCOM Stadium on Saturday but those that were there sang Slutsky's name, such has been his immediate impact.
The 46-year-old joked that was the most satisfying aspect of the win and added: "The team is still building – sometimes we play good football but it is still possible for this to break down.
"We will continue to work hard on this. I know that this is a very difficult league and everything is possible.
"It is impossible to think you are better than another team.
"Of course, there are favourites and underdogs, this is the same everywhere, but you know that every match is difficult and any result is possible.
"(Hernandez) is one of the best strikers in the Championship.
"He was very good today and scoring goals is something that is normal for him at this level. He took all three of his goals fantastically well and showed his qualities in front of goal.
"I am very thankful to our supporters for the way they have supported me from the beginning, and the way they supported my team."
Likely line ups
Hull (4-4-2): McGregor; Aina, Dawson, Hector, Clark; Bowen, Henriksen, Clucas, Grosicki; Campbell, Hernandez
Wolves (3-4-3): John Ruddy; Miranda, Coady, Boly; Doherty, Neves, Saiss, Douglas; Enobakhare, Dicko, Jota. Subs: Norris, Bennett, Batth, Price, Ronan, Cavaleiro, Bonatini.
Hull key man – Abel Hernandez
The 27-year-old striker was second-top scorer in the Championship two seasons ago with 22 goals, behind Andre Gray. He struggled in the top flight last year with just four goals in 24 games but a hat-trick against Burton on Saturday showed he’s back in form and a big threat for Hull.
Wolves key man – Ruben Neves
It's been a quietly impressive start to Championship life for the £15million man, who already seems to have acquired an understanding with midfield partner Romain Saiss. Ball retention will be key for Wolves tonight against a good Hull side.
Memory Lane
Carl Cort scored a late winner in 2006 as Wolves won 3-2 under Glenn Hoddle on their first visit to the KCOM. They haven't won in five visits since.
