PR: Hull City vs Blackburn

Saturday is the first time in a long while Hull City fans will be feeling hopeful ahead of a game. Two wins in a row means the Tigers have seen a dramatic transformation in form. Blackburn are sat in third and will offer tough opposition to the resurgent East Yorkshire side. Both teams have played some good football in recent weeks which suggests anyone making their way to the MKM Stadium on Saturday will be likely to get a treat.

It is scary to think that City have had such a great turn of form in a short space of time. A few tweaks in the system and a trick or two from interim head coach Andy Dawson has seen the Tigers look defensively more stable whilst offering more chances going forward. The World Cup is creeping up on us, with a few more positive results the Tigers could be on the verge of a play-off spot before the break. It seems on recent good performances any grave danger has passed and a continuation from the previous games would leave any thought of relegation will be left for dead.

The devil has been in the detail with small changes to the line-up and a minor shift in shape has seen any cobwebs swept away. Slater, Docherty, Woods and Longman may not bring the same wizardry to the team which many City fans desired when the likes of Tufan was signed but recent gritty performances have lifted the spirits of many supporters. Not to pick on Tufan as a lazy bones, but he is often seen as a luxury player and can go missing in games, however his contributions when at his best this season have been invaluable. Despite this, a team near the relegation zone cannot afford passengers in the line-up even if they have some bambooooozling footwork.

Blackburn are very much an all or nothing side so far this season, only wins and defeats without a stalemate all season. There is nothing spooky about the success, once again Brereton Diaz is looking a force to be reckoned with and a monster in front of goal, much like Jarrod Bowen prior to his departure from City many moons ago. Beyond the obvious threat, Rovers have looked eerie-sistible at times since the change of manager in the off-season. The key to who wins the game is which team scores first. In all 10 of Blackburn’s wins they have drawn first blood; in the seven defeats, the opposition have been the ones to take the lead.

Witch team will win is a hard call for me but expect a bit of a thriller and plenty of ghouls. Both teams will have good spells in the game but I expect City fans to be the ones screaming for further success. I doubt I can squash many more Halloween pun-kins into a previewooooo

Expected XI: Baxter; Christie, Figueiredo, A.Jones, Greaves; Series, Woods; Docherty, Pelkas, Slater; Longman.

Prediction: Hull City 3-2 Blackburn Rovers

Simon Bromwich