The MKM Stadium hosts the first of Saturday's Premier League fixtures as Hull City welcome Manchester United.
The Tigers are back in the big time after their playoff triumph last season ended a nine-year wait for Premier League football.
However, Sergej Jakirovic's side are widely expected to make a quickfire return to the second tier, with the bookies making them favourites to finish bottom of the pile.
Hull could hardly have asked for a more daunting opening assignment, with Manchester United the visitors this weekend.
For once, the Red Devils head into a new season with a genuine sense of optimism following their marked improvement under Michael Carrick last term.
United finished third in the Premier League standings and will be looking to pick up where they left off by making a winning start to the campaign.
How the bookies view it: Red Devils to hit the ground running
Manchester United are understandably strong favourites to come away with all three points, with the Red Devils priced at just 19/50 on bet365.
Hull are as big as 7/1 to pull off an upset on their return to the Premier League, while the draw can be backed at 4/1.
Head to head: Red Devils rule the roost
Manchester United have dominated this fixture historically, winning 22 of their 31 meetings with Hull. It is worth noting, though, that the last meeting between these two sides in the Premier League, back in 2017, ended goalless, with another 0-0 draw available at 12/1 on Saturday.
Players to watch: Back another Bruno assist
Bruno Fernandes set a new Premier League assist record last season after setting up 21 goals. Backing Manchester United to win alongside Fernandes to score or assist makes for an eye-catching 5/6 double on bet365.
Matt Crooks averaged 2.14 fouls per game in the Championship last season, making the Hull midfielder a value option to be penalised two or more times here at 6/5 on bet365.
Predicted line-ups
Hull's already difficult task is made even tougher by the fact that they could be without as many as eight first-team players for their opening Premier League game of the season on Saturday.
Manchester United will be without the injured Manuel Ugarte and Mason Mount, while Matthijs de Ligt and Benjamin Sesko have only recently returned to training. Of the two, Sesko is the more likely to make the bench on Saturday.
Hull: Tzolakis; Coyle, Egan, Mendy, Giles; Slater, Crooks; Belloumi, Hjerto-Dahl, Millar; McBurnie
Manchester United: Lammens; Dalot, Martinez, Maguire, Shaw; Santos, Tielemans; Dorgu, Fernandes, Amad; Mbeumo
Anything else catch the eye?
Harry Maguire looks worth backing to be fouled at least once at 8/11 on bet365.
The Manchester United defender was reliable when it came to winning free-kicks last season, drawing an average of 0.87 fouls per 90 in the Premier League.
He is likely to come up against Hull's Oli McBurnie, who plays with plenty of physicality, highlighted by the fact he committed 1.54 fouls per game in the Championship last term.
Hull vs Manchester United Betting Tips & Predictions
Further Reading
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