Christian Walton is Town's clear number one (Image: Ross Halls)

Goalkeeper: CHRISTIAN WALTON

Cornish custodian now seems a clear number one, with £8.5m summer signing Kjell Scherpen relegated to the bench. Made some important saves in the draw with Forest and will need to be at his best again here. Expect his trademark command of his box to be tested by the Tigers, especially from set-pieces.

Abdoul Ouattara is one of the Premier League top performers in terms of physical output (Image: Ross Halls)

Right-back: ABDOUL OUATTARA

Super athletic youngster has looked great since making this spot his own. Stats show he's among the Premier League's top physical performers - he's second in distance covered per game (12.2km), and also high in the total sprints and sprints per game numbers. A fantastic talent who could end up looking like a bargain buy at £20m.

Issa Diop was lucky to stay on the pitch against Forest, in my opinion (Image: Ross Halls)

Centre-back: ISSA DIOP

Lucky to stay on the pitch against Forest last week, having wiped out James McAtee as he galloped through on goal. Moroccan star oozes class, but has had a few wobbly moments so far. Will need to keep his head in the face of a physical, aggressive Hull side.

Dara O'Shea edged his battle with Lim Delap last week (Image: Steve Waller)

Centre-back: DARA O'SHEA

Town skipper looks far more comfortable back in the heart of defence, having started the season at right-back. I'd say he edged his battle with ex-Town star Liam Delap last week - even having had his shirt almost ripped clean off. Could be more of the same at Hull if Oli McBurnie starts.

Leif Davis has made big improvements defensively (Image: Ross Halls)

Left-back: LEIF DAVIS

Three-lunged Leif is another of the top tier's elite physical performers. He's 11th in total distance covered so far (88km), second in the number of total sprints (160) and high among the per-game averages for both. Has hugely improved his defensive work this season, highlighted by two goal-line clearances against Forest. Battle with Hull danger man Mo Belloumi could be key.

Sasa Lukic has missed the last two games with injury (Image: Ross Halls)

Centre-midfield: SASA LUKIC

Top-tier veteran has missed the last two games with injury, and Town have certainly missed him. His partnership with Palacios is building nicely. Gary O'Neil recently said: "Sasa's big for it. He'll be a big one for us to get him back." If he's still not fit, I'd start Azor Matusiwa over Florentino Luis here.

Exequiel Palacios has been superb (Image: Ross Halls)

Centre-midfield: EXEQUIEL PALACIOS

World Cup winner looks to be different gravy. Covers the most distance per game of anyone in the Premier League (12.3km), rarely gives the ball away and is adept at winning it back. A nailed-on starter and vital to this team's success.

Abdul Fatawu is an x-factor for Town (Image: Ross Halls)

Right-wing: ABDUL FATAWU

Mercurial Ghanian is Town's best out-and-out winger but, as expected, needs to improve his consistency. Will be disappointed with his role in Forest's goal last week, gently jogging back as Neco Williams sprinted past him on his way to scoring. Off the ball work and effort must be top notch here.

Julio Enciso scored his first goal of the season against Forest (Image: Ross Halls)

No.10: JULIO ENCISO

Bagged his first goal of the season - and first-ever at Portman Road - to secure a share of the spoils against Forest and then spoke emotionally about his love for the club and Town fans. Can be electrifying at his best - let's hope confidence is coursing through his veins after that strike.

I'd start Daizen Maeda at Hull (Image: Ross Halls)

Left-wing: DAIZEN MAEDA

Probably the biggest call for O'Neil to make. Jaden Philogene was underwhelming as the starter against Forest, and I prefer Jack Clarke as a super-sub. I think Maeda - another of the Premier League's top performers in terms of physical output - suits this game better than either of them.

Emersonn has started every league game (Image: Steve Waller)

Striker: EMERSONN

Big Brazilian has started every league game so far and I see no reason to change that here. Could be up against veteran Hull CB John Egan, and will fancy himself to get the better of that battle. Expect him to empty the tank for 60-70 minutes, with Bash Brothers Chuba Akpom and Zian Flemming champing at the bit to do damage after that.