Hull plan Valley raid

21 August 2015 11:31

Hull defender Ahmed Elmohamady believes the Tigers must pick up points on the road if they are to mount a successful promotion campaign.

Elmohamady was on target as Hull beat Fulham 2-1 on Wednesday for a second successive Sky Bet Championship win at home, Steve Bruce's side showing no signs of a hangover following their relegation from the Premier League last season.

The Tigers drew their opening away game at Wolves and lie in second place behind early-season pace-setters Ipswich ahead of Saturday's trip to tackle Charlton at The Valley.

"If you're going to win promotion, you have to be able to win away from home as well as at home," Elmohamady told the Hull website.

"We'll be going there looking for a win because we're playing to win this league."

Ipswich head to Preston, with Simon Grayson's promoted Lilywhites having also enjoyed an unbeaten start to the season with a win and two draws from their opening three games.

Grayson told Preston's club website: "It doesn't get much harder than Mick McCarthy's team.

"They are organised, they're disciplined and hard working and they are going to make it difficult for you to try and win a football match.

"They have the main core of their team from last year, and they've set off the season really well so far and I'm sure they will be wanting to keep that going."

Burnley welcome Brentford, with the Clarets understood to be on the verge of signing Bees striker Andre Gray after the striker rejected a move to Championship rivals Bristol City.

The Robins picked up their first point of the season against Leeds in midweek but Steve Cotterill's side face another tough test at Middlesbrough.

"I am pleased with the start we have made after the first game against Preston," Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka said at his pre-match press conference.

"The attitude against Bolton and Derby was good and we have to keep going in the same way."

Former England striker David Nugent might again have to wait for his first start since joining from Leicester as Spanish frontman Kike has scored three goals in his last two appearances.

Brighton boss Chris Hughton will check on Bobby Zamora ahead of the visit of Blackburn.

Zamora has yet to make his second Seagulls debut since rejoining the club this summer as he was short of fitness and also felt a tight groin during training last weekend.

But Blackburn could have their own striker problems as Jordan Rhodes is once again doubtful with an ankle injury.

Leeds welcome Sheffield Wednesday in the early Saturday kick-off - the home side's fourth game in nine days - while bottom-placed Bolton entertain Nottingham Forest and Huddersfield visit Fulham with both sides at the wrong end of the table and seeking a first league win of the season.

Cardiff host Wolves, with Bluebirds boss Russell Slade saying preparations have been disrupted by a virus sweeping through the camp, QPR play Rotherham at Loftus Road and fourth-placed MK Dons make the trip to Reading.

Source: PA