Few could have predicted Hull City's recovery following their under-staffed start to the Premier League season, on the back of a summer of turmoil and an autumn not much better for the Tigers.

Steve Bruce's resignation during pre-season was followed by that infamous five-a-side photo taken during a training getaway by some more self-depricating members of the City camp, and at the time look up a significant proportion of the club's playing squad.

Coupled with 13 points from their opening 19 games, Assem Allam's frankly dreadful attitude towards the club and the arrival of some unknown Portuguese manager fresh from the Greek SuperLeague, from the outside it appeared the Tigers' survival hopes hinged on a wing and a prayer, if that.

But only now we are more familiar with Marco Silva's incredible home record, and his ability to organise a team to play above their station, has he started to receive the overdue credit he deserves.

The form book

Hull's home and away form could not be more chalk and cheese. A solitary draw on the road from their last six games has had them facing some long journeys back to Humberside, but it will be their showings in front of their own fans which save their season, should it happen.

They are unbeaten under Marco Silva at the KCOM Stadium, with the Lisbon native invincible on his own patch since March 2014 and have even beaten Liverpool in the north east during that time.

Team news

Omar Elabdellaoui is ruled out of today's clash so long-serving Ahmed Elmohamady is set to take his place. 

Silva will also be without David Meyler, who underwent surgery on his knee this week. Like Moses Odubajo, Will Keane (both knee) and Ryan Mason (fractured skull), Meyler will not play again this season.

Man to mark

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Abel Hernandez is likely to earn a recall to the Hull side despite being benched for trips to Stoke and Manchester City over the past fortnight.

The Uruguayan impressed alongside Oumar Niasse when Hull beat Middlesbrough 4-2 at the KCOM in their last home game, and scored in that big victory.

What they've said

Silva - perhaps playing a few little mind games - was keen to stress Watford can play without pressure after last week's win over Swansea.

He said: “They have reached 40 points and they maybe don’t feel pressure now,” added Silva. 

“But this means that they can play their football with comfort and confidence. Whether that is good for them we will see, but all we know is that we can expect a tough game. 

“They are a good team and have good individual players as well. Their organisation is always good. We know we may need patience, but we want to cause them problems."

The Watford connection

Hull have a winning past over Watford, emerging victorious in eight of their 14 games.

However, the Hornets can do their first double of the season should they beat Hull this afternoon, having triumphed 1-0 thanks to Michael Dawson's late own goal at Vicarage Road back in December.

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In fact, Hull's last win over Watford at home was back in October 2011, where a last-gasp Matty Fryatt strike gave them a 3-2 victory, after Chris Iwelumo and James Chester's own goal had put the Hornets in control.