Hull City are back in action on Friday evening with a home game against Middlesbrough in the Championship.
Hull City won 2-1 at Stoke City last time Championship. Semi Ajayi and Joe Gelhardt scored HCAFC’s goals against the Potters at the Bet365 Stadium.
The Tigers are ranked 9th in the league table after their first 18 games. They are one point behind Bristol City in 6th place.
Sergej Jakirovic was appointed head coach in June and replaced Ruben Selles in the dugout of the MKM Stadium. The former NK Maribor, Rijeka and Dynamo Zagreb man left his position at Kayserispor in the Turkish Super Lig to take up a new challenge in England.
Hull City stats by Sergej Jakirovic
| Games | wins | Pulls | To lose |
| 19 | 8 | 5 | 6 |
Middlesbrough recently turned to Kim Hellberg as their new manager. Boro lured him away from Hammarby IF in the Allsvenskan following the departure of Rob Edwards to Premier League strugglers Wolves.
They defeated Derby County 2-1 in their last outing. Matt Targett and Morgan Whittaker were on the scoresheet for them against the Rams at Riverside Stadium.
Boro are second in the league, behind Coventry City. They are 10 points behind the Sky Blues at the top and two above Millwall in third.
Here, a handful of our writers make their predictions for the game…
Harry Mail
“Hull City have been quite strong at home so far this season and HCAFC will be confident they can get something on Friday night, especially after their impressive win over Stoke City.
“Joe Gelhardt has been in good form for the Tigers lately, scoring seven goals in his last nine games and proving difficult to stop at the moment.”
“New Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg started life in England with a useful win over Derby County. Boro will look to make it two wins.
“They have quality throughout their squad and could surpass it at the MKM Stadium. However, I think the hosts will ultimately challenge for a point.”
Prediction: Hull City 1-1 Middlesbrough
James Ray
“Hull City got a fantastic result against Stoke City last time out. They have had a bit of a patchy form recently but when Joe Gelhardt is in the form he is in they always have a chance to get a result.”
“They have also been solid on home turf this season, which could play into their hands given Middlesbrough’s poor away record. However, Boro have made an ideal start to Kim Hellberg’s reign so will start this season in good spirits.”
“It makes this match difficult to decide. Both sides have the quality to take all three points, but I have a feeling the spoils will be shared here, and neither will disapprove of that outcome.”
Prediction: Hull City 2-2 Middlesbrough
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