Hull City welcome Everton to the MKM Stadium on Sunday looking to return to winning ways
Hull City welcome Everton to the MKM Stadium on Sunday looking to return to winning ways (Image: Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images)
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Finally, after what feels like an eternity, Hull City are back in Premier League action this weekend when they host unbeaten Everton at the MKM Stadium to kick off October.
Previously, interrupted by international games, the month will go straight through after the extended international window and that presents Sergej Jakirovic and his players with a chance to find their rhythm again after what was a positive start following their promotion.
City will hope the remaining players return from international duty without any injury issues, to give Jakirovic as many options as possible for what looks like a set of fixtures where there are various opportunities to add to the eight points they've already collected.
The four games coming up this month, on paper at least, look winnable. City face teams they will have looked at before a ball was kicked and pinpointed as games where they can get points before the fifth game of their fun before the international break sees them travel to champions Arsenal.
Given the impressive start, expectations will have risen now, and that was backed up by a recent poll of Tigers fans by Hull Live, with 43 per cent backing Jakirovic's men to claim five to six points across the next flurry of games, which would represent a positive return.
Read more: The 1904 Club announces Hull City live podcast event to celebrate Premier League return
Here's a look at City's next five...
Everton - H
After what feels like a never-ending three-week international break, City return to action against unbeaten Everton at the MKM Stadium on Sunday.
Under experienced Scotsman David Moyes, the Toffees have started the season well and are a place directly above City with two wins and three draws from their opening five, and like the Tigers, have scored six goals.
Being at home, the Tigers will fancy their chances against Everton, though the word of warning is that Moyes' men are in good form, having won at home to Ipswich Town before the break.
October 11, 2pm
Fulham - A
Already sold out for visiting supporters, Tigers fans will head to the Cottage looking to get back to winning ways on the road after defeat at Newcastle United. Fulham, under Álvaro Arbeloa, are yet to taste victory and sit second bottom with just two points from their opening five.
After three successive defeats to start the campaign, Fulham have drawn at Liverpool and then at home to Manchester United in their two games since, but look like one of the teams set to battle against the drop this term, and for that reason, it is a real sign of significance even at such an early stage.
Visits to the Cottage are never straightforward, but given the way they've played at Stamford Bridge and in the second half on Tyneside, the Tigers must surely arrive with some confidence and a determination not to start as slowly as they have done in their last two away trips.
October 17, 3pm
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Brentford - H
One of the impressive early-season starters under Keith Andrews, Brentford have looked good, especially at home. Unbeaten in West London, the Bees are yet to claim a league win on the road, and given the importance of their MKM Stadium bouts this term, City will be keen to get a positive result.
For all newly promoted teams, home form is absolutely pivotal to hopes of staying in the league and that will be no different in the middle game of three in front of their own supporters.
October 25, 2pm
Ipswich Town - H
Many will have earmarked this as one of the biggest games of their respective opening 10 games for both City and Town. Just as they would have done when the Tigers went to Coventry City last month.
Like City, Ipswich have had a positive start to life back in the Premier League and at the time of writing, sit two points below the Tigers in the table with two wins and three defeats.
October 31, 3pm
Arsenal - A
Clearly, the toughest assignment of the season against the reigning champions in their own backyard. It will come as little surprise to see City written off by everybody ahead of the trip to the capital. They've been to the Emirates before and won, and why can't they cause an upset once again?
The final game before the November international break looks daunting, but the way Arsenal were destroyed at Brighton in their last game must surely give City and the rest of the league belief that the Gunners have their flaws, as good as they clearly are.
November 7, 3pm
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