The Tigers go in search of a third Championship win on the bounce against Albion
Barry Cooper Hull City correspondent
09:00, 20 Dec 2025
Sergej Jakirovic is keen to see his side continue their return to form (Image: Anna Gowthorpe/Shutterstock)
Sergej Jakirovic wants his Hull City side to continue the momentum they’ve built up in the last two games as they look to send their supporters home for Christmas full of festive joy.
City host West Brom at the MKM Stadium on Saturday in their final home outing of 2025 and know that three points against the Baggies would ensure their place inside the top six at Christmas.
And while that achievement means little at this stage of the season compared to May, it’s another important marker on the road to what increasingly looks like being a season where the Tigers are genuine play-off contenders.
It would also continue a positive response from their home humbling against Middlesbrough at the beginning of the month when City found themselves four-nil down at the break.
Since that painful night in front of their own supporters and the nation’s television cameras, Jakirovic’s men have beaten Wrexham to end their nine-game unbeaten run and won 3-1 at a Millwall side who sat third in the league, delivering a display the boss believes was one of their best so far.
“We had a slow start in the game, but after we scored two goals, we controlled everything, and that was, I think, maybe the best performance, especially in our away games,” the City boss said of the win at Millwall. “We didn’t allow too many shots towards our goal.
“We were very compact and stable. In defence, they (his players) played with so much focus and concentration, and then with Liam (Millar) and Mo (Belloumi) in front, every time you are dangerous.
“It was a very important three points, especially in this league. You see, now you are in the top six. I’m always watching the statistics; for example, we had four games and three losses, and now we have four games with three wins.
“This is the Championship, and we have to keep this moment and continue like this, because we already showed that we can play good football.”
Albion boss Ryan Mason, a former City player, is under pressure at The Hawthorns after two wins in nine games before last Friday’s victory over Sheffield United eased the pressure a little.
Just three wins in 20 against Albion, however, shows how difficult an opponent they have proved to be for the Tigers in recent seasons, and Jakirovic expects a typically competitive encounter.
“They are a good team, they beat Sheffield United,” Jakirovic said of the Baggies. “OK, in the first half, maybe it was a 50/50 game. Maybe even Sheffield United were better, but in the second half, West Brom were better and played with too much confidence. They are good on the ball; they have a couple of good players in front, especially. We have analysed them, and we are trying to prepare something for Saturday, so I hope we will be successful.”
Jakirovic is also expecting a vibrant home atmosphere in the final outing of the calendar year at the MKM Stadium, and hopes that translates to his players. “I expect the fans will be crazy in the stands, so we will try to bring the noise from the stands out onto the pitch,” added the Croatian.
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