The hugely important festive period will shake up where the Championship goes early into the New Year
Saturday’s 3-2 win over struggling Portsmouth at the MKM Stadium ensured Hull City would go into the international break in fine shape and ready for what comes next.
Sergej Jakirovic’s Tigers are nestled nicely inside the Championship’s top six after reaching their highest position since Liam Rosenior was in charge during the 2023/24 campaign.
City are 10 points and 14 places better off than they were at this stage a year ago, and confidence is building that the Tigers can go on and compete for a place in the top six in the latter stages of the season, especially with key players set to return in the next couple of weeks.
Before the Tigers pause for the FA Cup third round over the weekend of January 10/11, they have 11 games in the league and 33 points up for grabs.
They’ll go into those games in good heart, after taking 13 from a possible 15 points since the last international break. Only Coventry City and Derby County have been in better form than Jakirovic’s Tigers.
Here’s a look at the games to come…
Saturday, November 22 – QPR – Loftus Road
Where are they? 16th
Anything to know? Well, they’re not in great form and have won just two at home so far this season. They drew last time out having lost the three before that and have one of the leakiest defences in the Championship.
Tuesday, November 25 – Ipswich Town – MKM Stadium
Where are they? 7th
Anything to know? Some will say this is City’s toughest assignment of this 11-game block. Ipswich haven’t really got going since relegation but are just outside the top six and have that controversially rearranged game at Blackburn Rovers to come. The Tractor Boys are starting to find some form, winning three of their last four and were 4-1 winners at Swansea City last time, a result which eventually saw Alan Sheehan sacked by the Swans. It’ll also see the return of Jacob Greaves and Jaden Philogene for the first time since leaving.
Saturday, November 29 – Stoke City – bet365 Stadium
Where are they? 3rd
Anything to know? A lunchtime kick-off in front of the television cameras promises to be a tasty affair. City have got a good recent record in the Potteries, but under Mark Robins, this feels like the best spell for them since relegation from the Premier League and therefore, a major test of the Tigers’ credentials. The first of two meetings over the festive period.
Friday, December 5 – Middlesbrough – MKM Stadium
Where are they? 2nd
Anything to know? Well, Boro will have a new manager in place by the time these two meet under the lights after Rob Edwards walked out and went back to Wolves. Boro have started really well and are a big threat on the road, though it remains to be seen who will be in their dugout.
Wednesday, December 10 – Wrexham – MKM Stadium
Where are they? 13th
Anything to know? The two sides have already met this season, with that coming in South Wales back in early August. City were 3-1 up and coasting into round two of the Carabao Cup until Elliot Lee scored twice inside 90 stoppage time seconds to send the tie to penalties, which City inevitably lost.
There will be no shortage of ex-City interest either, with Phil Parkinson, Ryan Longman, and Andy Cannon all making their MKM Stadium returns in what will be the first meeting between the two sides in East Yorkshire since a 2-1 League One victory for the Tigers in February 2005.
Saturday, December 13 – Millwall – The Den
Where are they? 6th
Anything to know? Who wouldn’t want to spend a pre-Christmas weekend south of the Thames? Millwall under Alex Neil have started the season brilliantly, though they are winless in their last three, which has allowed the Tigers to overtake them. The Lions have won four of their eight home games in Bermondsey thus far, but have lost three, averaging just a goal a game.
Saturday, December 20 – West Brom – MKM Stadium
Where are they? 14th
Anything to know? The final outing before Christmas 12 months ago yielded Ruben Selles’ first home win and a first home win for City since early in the season. Things are very different this time around, and Jakirovic will want to send the Tigers fans home for Christmas full of festive joy.
Friday, December 26 – Sheffield Wednesday – Hillsborough
Where are they? 24th
Anything to know? A Boxing Day derby at Hillsborough promises to be a special occasion. The Owls could be sold to new owners by then, and City will be well backed, hoping for a repeat of Charlie Hughes’ stunning winning header back in April. Wednesday look to be going down to League One, but this tasty all-Yorkshire affair will still need to be safely negotiated.
Monday, December 29 – Middlesbrough – Riverside Stadium
Where are they? 2nd
Anything to know? Two sides who will have met earlier in the month will congregate for a nighttime showdown under the Teesside lights. Much water will have passed under the Tees bridge by that point, but it will still represent one of the Tigers’ sternest tests of the month.
Thursday, January 1 – Stoke City – MKM Stadium
Where are they? 3rd
Anything to know? Like Boro, it will be another meeting with a side they faced earlier in this block of games, but it will be one the Tigers will fancy on home soil. If both teams, like Boro, continue their upward trajectory, it could have a major impact on the picture inside the top six.
Sunday, January 4 – Watford – MKM Stadium
Where are they? 15th
Anything to know? Well, City were 1-0 up at Vicarage Road back in late September and the home fans were calling for their manager to be sacked. Somehow, the Tigers contrived to lose the game 2-1, but after that, they embarked on a six-game unbeaten run. The Hornets, under Javi Gracia in his second spell, have the worst away record in the league with no wins, four defeats and one draw on the road.
How many points from a possible 33 do you think would be a good return for the Tigers? Have your say in the comments below….