Hull City welcome Derby County to the KC Stadium on Tuesday night for the second leg of their Championship playoff semi-final clash. The Tigers boast a big aggregate lead over the Rams, and are favourites to make the playoff final at Wembley.

Hull City enjoyed a 3-0 win at the iPro Stadium in the first leg, and can afford to lose by a two-goal margin at home and still go through. The Tigers will want to book their place at Wembley by winning in emphatic style, however. City’s form was inconsistent in the second-half of the Championship season, but they have come good when it mattered during the run-in, and were ruthless to amass such a large aggregate lead when Derby were struggling.

Steve Bruce won’t want his side to rest of their laurels, however. He knows the game could turn if Hull concede the first goal, so he’ll be keen to ensure the Tigers start strong at the KC Stadium. Derby are sure to respond from the get-go, and they boast an attacking side more than capable of breaching the City backline. Having beaten Hull twice in the league this season, scoring six goals without reply, County shouldn’t be ruled out.

Hull might be content to hold their lead for as long as possible and try to keep Derby at bay, but allowing the Midlands outfit to control the tie might be dangerous with how many creative players the Rams are likely to field in the second leg. Hull can’t think the tie is over. The first goal will be crucial, and it may well be the visitors getting it with how fast they have to start the game.

Manager Darren Wassall is sure to make necessary changes to his side after receiving so much criticism for his selection in the first-leg, and it should see an instant response. If Hull can keep Derby quiet in the first-half, the tie should be all but over. The home side don’t need to win, and will likely use the three-goal deficit as insurance to conserve energy during their outing with Derby.

It’s a dangerous ploy and one that may see them going behind early into the game as a result. Bet Victor are giving odds of 23/20 for Derby to lead at any time. Derby’s Tom Ince struggled in the first leg, but has enjoyed a strong season-half to the season with the Rams. He will be key in attack on Tuesday night, and 888 Sport are giving odds of 39/10 for Ince to score anytime.

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