Opposition watch: Hull City form guide

Fulham take on yet another hugely important Premier League clash as they prepare to take on a Hull City side who are flying high.

The Tigers have surely been the surprise package of the Premier League this season under Sergej Jakirovic.

The Bosnian took Hull up surprisingly last season from the Championship, as one of the key beneficiaries of the Southampton ‘Spygate’ scandal that rocked England’s second division.

But after finishing sixth in the Championship and having some rather underwhelming statistics coming up, many felt they would be heading straight for the drop.

Jakirovic and his players had other ideas, though.

They began their campaign with a shock 2-0 win over Manchester United at the MKM Stadium.

Centre-back Semi Ajayi scored Hull’s first goal in the Premier League in almost a decade after 17 minutes, and that lead was doubled shortly after when club record signing Nobel Mendy headed in Regan Slater’s effort.

Konstantinos Tzolakis made a strong impression on debut with an excellent save late on to deny Bryan Mbeumo, in a match that highlighted exactly what Hull are about.

The Tigers were again defensively resolute, as they cashed in late to beat fellow newly-promoted side Coventry 1-0.

Canadian Liam Millar ruthlessly punished a Coventry side who probably felt they deserved to come away with at least a point and Hull’s impressive start to the season continued.

The clean sheets continued coming in the following week, as Hull hosted Aston Villa back at the MKM Stadium.

On this occasion, they were unable to ensure a clean sheet led to the maximum three points, but nonetheless held out for a credible 0-0 draw to take their tally to seven points from their first three matches.

And seven soon became eight, when Hull travelled down to West London to face Chelsea, with the Tigers making the most of some calamitous defending from the Blues to score in quick succession in the first half.

Mohamed Belloumi was the scorer of both of those goals as his excellent start to the season continued.

A goal for Joao Pedro prevented Hull from a memorable win at Stamford Bridge, but they did leave with a 2-2 draw.

In their final game before the international break, Hull lost their first match of the season, falling 2-1 to Newcastle at St James’ Park.

But after the international break, they responded brilliantly, battling out for a 2-2 draw with unbeaten Everton to earn their ninth point of the season.

Joe Gelhardt put Hull into the lead before Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall inspired the Toffees with a goal and an assist, and then Belloumi scored from the bench to secure yet another point for the Tigers.

It is fair to say that Hull are in top form, and although six of their nine points came in the first two matches of the season, they come to Craven Cottage in good form.