Leeds gave teenage midfielder Jonathan Howson his first start and promoted on-loan goalkeeper Tony Warner in place of the injured Graham Stack. Ugo Ehiogu returned in defence and Robbie Blake was back in the attack.
Hull brought in striker Michael Bridges in place of the injured Nick Barmby, while Michael Turner and Ryan France replaced David Livermore and Ian Ashbee.
Leeds showed plenty of bright ideas but the accuracy of their passing left much to be desired in a tension-packed derby.
With both sides in the bottom three it was never going to be a Christmas classic and you could almost reach out and touch the tension, with the points so precious.
Hull striker Steve McPhee's prediction of a war between the Yorkshire rivals was wide of the mark but he was an early casualty, limping off in the 29th minute, to be replaced by Nicky Forster.
It was a cruel blow for McPhee who had returned to the starting line-up just seven days earlier after a long injury absence.
Although the tackles carried plenty of bite they were mainly fair and Hull pulled most of their men back in defence whenever Leeds crossed the halfway line.
Howson was particularly keen to impress in Leeds' midfield and he won the approval of the home fans and the wrath of Hull supporters for a couple of particularly menacing challenges.
Leeds created the better chances of a dour first half, Jonathon Douglas seeing an angled shot blocked by Turner, Blake cutting in from the right before seeing his left-foot shot zip past the post and Tresor Kandol having a close-range header brilliantly tipped over by Boaz Myhill.
Hull gave Warner little to do and, when Bridges did create a chance for himself, he couldn't supply the finish and was eventually replaced by Mark Yeates in the 62nd minute.
Leeds' best chance of the second half fell to Howson who controlled the ball well just inside the box but lacked the composure to make the opportunity count.