Bruce’s strong-willed Hull charges can avoid Premier League drop

After clinching promotion to the Premier League in a match sure to have shredded the nerves of their supporters, Ladbrokes are offering punters the chance to bet on Hull’s top-flight fate next term.

The race for second spot in the Championship went right to the wire, as the Tigers missed a late penalty, before conceding from the spot to eventually draw 2-2 at home to champions Cardiff, a result eventually irrelevant in light of Watford losing to Leeds at Vicarage Road.

And whilst it seems feasible to suggest that their top-flight future could be determined on the final day next term, the 6/5 odds that Steve Bruce’s men achieve survival should be snapped up.

By Bruce’s own admission, his squad isn’t the most naturally talented, but what they lack in on-pitch quality, they more than make up for in desire and endeavour.

Indeed, this was never more evident than when Hull came from a goal down to lead against Cardiff, and has been epitomised by 18 of their 24 victories across the course of the season coming via a single goal margin.

This ability to grind out successes will stand the Tigers in good stead in the Premier League, as will their past experience in England’s elite division.

Under Phil Brown, the KC Stadium outfit achieved survival on the final day of their maiden season in the top flight, before eventually succumbing to relegation the following year.

And the manner that teams promoted by finishing second in the Championship have fared in the Premier League is a further point of encouragement to their hopes of avoiding the drop.

It is 8/13 that Hull finish in the bottom three, but they would become the first side since Birmingham in 2008 to suffer relegation following a second-place Championship finish.

So, with past trends suggesting that the Tigers are well-positioned to avoid an immediate slip back into the second tier, some may fancy them to achieve loftier ambitions next season.

Even the most ardent supporters of the Humberside club are unlikely to indulge in the 10000/1 price that Bruce’s men are crowned Premier League champions though.

Instead, the 12/1 that Hull achieve a top-half finish should see more support, even if that also seems a far-fetched scenario.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.