The fixtures for the 2017/18 EFL Championship season have been released this morning, and the opening day is now just 44 days away. Hull City will once again be looking for a quick return to the Premier League with new manager Leonid Slutsky at the helm, so let’s take a look at some of the key fixtures for the Tigers in the battle for promotion.
Aston Villa vs Hull City (05/08/17)
The Tigers couldn’t have asked for a tougher start to life back in the Championship.The opening day of the season sees them travel to Villa Park to take on their former boss Steve Bruce, and promotion favourites Aston Villa. With such a key fixture to begin the campaign, it’s now a race against time for Leonid Slutsky to prepare his side for the start of the season. This first game is huge for both sides, as they both battle their way back to the Premier League this season.
Leeds United vs Hull City (23/12/17)
A trip to Elland Road is always one to look out for for Hull City fans, and it comes in the middle of a hectic festive period that could define the club’s season. Thomas Christiansen is taking on a side in West Yorkshire that was strong for the majority last year, but fell away at the back end of the season. It’s tough to predict how they’ll go again this season at this stage, but a huge Yorkshire derby at this stage of the season is a cracking Christmas treat.
Hull City vs Derby County (26/12/17)
Just three days later, Hull City will play hosts to Derby on Boxing Day. As well as playing Leeds, Hull City also face Sheffield Wednesday, Fulham, Reading and Sunderland in and around this festive period, and the game against the Rams is up there with the most crucial. Gary Rowett is making some key acquisitions at Pride Park, none other than former Hull City captain Curtis Davies. They fancy themselves this season to challenge at the top and by Boxing Day, we should have a strong indication of how both sides will fare come May.
Hull City vs Sheffield Wednesday (14/04/18)
The Tigers final run-in isn’t too painful to look at with trips to Bristol City and Burton Albion, however a home tie with Yorkshire rivals and promotion hopefuls Sheffield Wednesday puts a huge spanner in the works. Wednesday travel to the KCOM with just four games to go in the competition, and a result in this fixture could be key for both sides in their Premier League hopes and dreams. Wednesday have missed out by the narrowest of margins in the last two years, so third time lucky? Hull will be hoping to make them slip up close to the final hurdle.
Brentford vs Hull City (06/05/18)
Leonid Slutsky’s men have been handed a potential banana skin tie for their final day fixture. Will the Tigers be fighting for automatic promotion, or fighting it out for that final automatic promotion spot? Either way, Griffin Park is no easy place to pick up a win if the Bees are in form. Many people see Brentford as one of the dark horses in this year’s competition, so Hull City’s trip to West London in early May could be crucial to where they finish in the league.
