Hull manager Steve Bruce wants his side to lay down an early marker in the race for Championship promotion when they host fellow high-flyers Middlesbrough on Saturday.
Four consecutive victories have thrust the Tigers to the top of the table but they are far from clear at the summit, with just one point separating the leading five teams.
Middlesbrough are one of the chasing pack, sitting fourth ahead of Saturday's clash, and Aitor Karanka's men could overtake their opponents with a win at the KC Stadium.
"It's a big game at the top end of the Championship," Bruce said.
"Nothing is going to be decided from the outcome, but it will give you an idea of where you are and where you're up to.
"We've played very, very well of late and we're on a good run so let's hope that we can continue that against one of the in-form teams in the Championship."
Bruce has reinvigorated his squad since relegation from the top-flight in May, replacing the likes of James Chester, Robbie Brady and Tom Ince, with hungry youngsters determined to prove themselves.
Karanka has had to oversee a similar revival at Middlesbrough, having missed out on promotion last year in the play-off final, and the two managers paid tribute to each other ahead of the match-up.
"If he is not the best, he is one of the best managers in the league," Karanka said.
"When a team has an experienced manager, the team is a reflection of him and he is a Premier League manager."
Bruce responded: "It's very kind of him, he's done well himself.
"He came in from Spain and although it took him a little while to get his philosophy over, he plays in a certain way that makes them difficult to play against.
"With compliments like that, is he trying to get me the wrong way?! Does he want a nice Spanish red or something?!"
While Bruce and Karanka enjoy the confidence of their clubs at the top end of the Championship, other managers have paid the price this week for disappointing starts.
Chris Ramsey was sacked after QPR's 1-0 defeat to Derby left the team 13th in the table and former boss Neil Warnock has been placed in temporary charge as the team host 16th-placed Preston this weekend.
"It's a strange one in the circumstances," Warnock told QPR Player.
"The club is special in my heart. The club suits me down to the ground so when I got the chance to come back and help I was really pleased.
"I'm disappointed how it worked out for Chris but I spoke to him the other night and he wished me all the best.
"The situation is I can steady the ship until the club decide who to appoint. It gives them a bit of time to make sure they get the right one."
Also in the middle of managerial upheaval are Huddersfield, who sacked Chris Powell on Wednesday and have appointed former Borussia Dortmund coach David Wagner.
Wagner will begin work on Monday, meaning academy manager Mark Lillis takes charge of the team for Saturday's derby against Leeds, who are themselves adjusting to a new regime under Steve Evans.
Elsewhere, Burnley and Brighton could both go top with wins over Wolves and MK Dons respectively, while sixth-placed Birmingham travel to Fulham looking to close a five-point gap on the top five clubs.
Lower down the table, Charlton host in-form Sheffield Wednesday, Bolton entertain Bristol City and Rotherham, hoping to climb off the bottom, take on 10th-placed Ipswich.
Cardiff can jump above Reading with a win at home while Lee Carsley's Brentford visit Blackburn.
Source: PA-WIRE
