Hull City will hope not to fall victim to a resurgent Barnsley side when the pair meet in a Yorkshire derby on Wednesday night.

Grant McCann's side are enduring a dire run of form that has seen them slip down the Championship table to within seven points of the relegation zone.

Match preview

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Hull have not won any of their last nine matches across all competitions, losing seven times - including a run of five defeats in a row.

After a shaky start, Hull had been enjoying a steady season and looked set to cruise to a mid-table finish, but their recent form could see them dragged into a relegation battle if their slide is not arrested soon.

McCann's side were beaten 3-1 in Barnsley in the reverse fixture earlier this season, and will hope to avoid a repeat at home this time around.

However, their record at the KCOM Stadium has been woeful this term, managing just six wins from 17 home games so far. Only Reading and Huddersfield Town have recorded fewer points at home than Hull's total of 21.

Barnsley, though, have been dreadful on the road themselves, picking up just nine points from their 16 Championship away games this season, losing 11 times.

The newly-promoted outfit are one point and one place ahead of bottom-of-the-league Luton Town, but are on an upward trajectory as they look to maintain their Championship status.

A stunning 3-0 win over Fulham was followed by a 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough, and Gerhard Struber's side are now just five points from safety.

Despite their back-to-back clean sheets, Barnsley still hold the second-worst defensive record in the division, shipping 58 goals in just 34 games.

Hull City Championship form: LLDLDL

Barnsley Championship form: LLDLWW

Team News

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Hull manager McCann has a lengthy injury list to contend with, and is particularly short on strikers heading into the clash with Barnsley.

Tom Eaves, Martin Samuelsen and Keane Lewis-Potter are all still out injured, while James Scott is out for the season and top-scorer Jarrod Bowen left for West Ham United in January.

Josh Bowler also remains unavailable, while Eric Lichaj and on-loan midfielder Herbie Kane have suffered season-ending injuries of their own.

Barnsley boss Struber has a far greater pool of players to choose from, but also must deal with an unusual absence.

Callum Styles and Samuel Radlinger are both still injured and are not expected to be back in action for several weeks at least.

Meanwhile, Bambo Diaby has been suspended by the club amidst an allegation of doping that is being investigated by the FA.

Hull City possible starting lineup:
Long; Pennington, Burke, De Wijs, Elder; Lopes, Irvine; Wilks, Toral, Honeyman; Magennis

Barnsley possible starting lineup:
Collins; Sollbauer, Halme, Williams; Ludewig, Bahre, Mowatt, Oduor; Woodrow; Brown, Chaplin

We say: Hull City 1-1 Barnsley

Hull are poor at home and Barnsley - despite their recent upsurge in form - have a terrible record on the road. These two sides could cancel each other out in a score draw at the KCOM Stadium.

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