After clinching the League One title last season, Hull City began life back in the Championship with a comfortable 4-1 victory away at Preston North End last weekend.
The Tigers went behind in just the eighth minute, however Grant McCann’s men worked hard to get back into the game, with Keane Lewis-Potter equalising 10
minutes before half time. Second-half strikes from Richie Smallwood, Josh Magennis and Andy Cannon then sealed all three points for the newly-promoted side.
Since their opening day win, Hull were knocked out in the first round of the League Cup, losing 8-7 on penalties to Wigan Athletic, following a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes. As much as McCann may have liked a cup run, their priority remains the league, as they bid to avoid relegation for the second time in three years.
Hull are now preparing for their first league game at the KCOM Stadium this term, where they were impressive in League One last season. Even though their attacking qualities, which were evident against Preston, were key to their title win, their defensive stability were also crucial to them finishing at the summit.
Only Watford conceded fewer home goals than Hull City’s 14 across the entire Football League last season. Another solid defensive showing this time in the second tier could be vital to their survival hopes.
The Tigers now prepare for Saturday’s game against QPR, a side they have lost just twice against in their last 13 league meetings.
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Having also won their maiden home league game in four of the last five campaigns, Hull will be full of confidence when they play in front of their own supporters on Saturday.
Unlike Hull, Queens Park Rangers had to settle for just a point on the opening weekend, after they played out a 1-1 draw at home to Millwall.
It was the visitors who took an early lead, with Jed Wallace finding the net in the 11th minute, but Robert Dickie – QPR’s Player of the Season last year – then fired in an incredible goal from around 30 yards out to draw the hosts level just after the half-hour mark
