Hull City vs Brentford predicted line-ups: Jensen and Sangaré tipped to start with two midfielders suspended

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Brentford must replace suspended midfielders Vitaly Janelt and Yehor Yarmoliuk for Sunday’s trip to Hull City, with Mathias Jensen and Mamadou Sangaré our predicted partnership.

Hull manager Sergej Jakirović faces a different decision: whether to give his previous starting XI another opportunity after the defeat at Fulham or change the balance of his side.

The Premier League match kicks off at 2pm GMT on Sunday 25 October at the MKM Stadium. These are Dave.Sport’s predicted line-ups, subject to further fitness updates and the clubs’ confirmed selections.

Hull predicted XI: Herrington keeps his place

Predicted Hull XI (5-4-1): Konstantinos Tzolakis; Lewie Coyle, Semi Ajayi, John Egan, Lucas Herrington, Brooke Norton-Cuffy; Mohamed Belloumi, Matt Crooks, Regan Slater, Sorba Thomas; Oli McBurnie.

We are backing Jakirović to retain the side that started at Craven Cottage, although midfield is the clearest area where he could intervene.

Lucas Herrington’s half-time substitution against Fulham followed a booking and a tactical decision, rather than a reported injury. Tim Iroegbunam replaced him as Hull sought greater control in midfield.

That gives Jakirović an alternative if he wants another player involved in building attacks. The choice is whether to introduce Iroegbunam within the existing structure or sacrifice a defender, as he did at Fulham.

Our selection keeps Herrington alongside Egan and Ajayi. Retaining that defensive unit would allow Hull to address their attacking problems without also changing the foundations of the side.

Belloumi and Thomas would provide support from the flanks, with McBurnie leading the line. The priority is getting players close enough to the striker to prevent Hull’s attacks ending with an isolated forward.

Brentford predicted XI: a new midfield partnership

Predicted Brentford XI (4-2-3-1): Caoimhín Kelleher; Michael Kayode, Nathan Collins, Sepp van den Berg, Keane Lewis-Potter; Mathias Jensen, Mamadou Sangaré; Dango Ouattara, Mikkel Damsgaard, Jaidon Anthony; Igor Thiago.

Brentford have confirmed that Janelt and Yarmoliuk will miss the match after their dismissals against Liverpool.

Jensen and Sangaré are our choices behind Damsgaard. That would give Brentford two players capable of progressing the ball through midfield, while asking Sangaré to provide protection when possession changes hands.

The balance matters against a Hull side comfortable allowing opponents the ball. Jensen and Damsgaard would need to create openings without leaving too much space for Belloumi and Thomas to attack.

Thiago remains our selection at centre-forward, with Ouattara and Anthony either side of Damsgaard.

Schuster returns to contention as Collins pushes for a start

Jannik Schuster has resumed training after a knock and illness disrupted his preparation for the Liverpool match.

Keith Andrews also reported progress for Collins and Jensen, with no fresh major injury concerns. Our prediction brings Collins into the defence alongside Van den Berg, but Schuster’s return and Kristoffer Ajer’s availability give Andrews alternatives.

Returning to training does not settle the starting decision. Schuster’s readiness for a full match, and Andrews’ preferred defensive pairing, remain selection questions.

For more on the manager’s assessment of the opposition, read our coverage of Andrews’ pre-match press conference.

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