FA Cup: Middlesbrough v Hull match preview

A look ahead to the FA Cup third round fixture at the Riverside Stadium

Tom Huddlestone said he would not cut his hair until he scored for Hull (GETTY IMAGES)

Hull will look to continue their impressive season as they travel to Middlesbrough in an intriguing FA Cup tie.

Despite a New Year’s Day defeat at Liverpool, the Tigers will still be riding the wave of their superb 6-0 thrashing of Fulham last Saturday. Tom Huddlestone finally had his hair cut for charity on Thursday, but Hull supporters will hope he won’t also have lost his influential form ahead of what is perhaps a potential banana skin for the Premier League side.

Their opponents are unbeaten in their last four, winning three including an impressive scalp over promotion favourites Burnley. Since taking over in November, Aitor Karanka, formerly assistant manager at Real Madrid, has turned things around for Middlesbrough, who were genuine relegation contenders under the since-departed Tony Mowbray, yet now sit just six points off the play-offs.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 3.00pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Hull 1 (Brady) Middlesbrough 0, Championship, April 2013

Middlesbrough 2 (Haroun, Miller) Hull 0, Championship, October 2012 Hull 2 (King, Fryatt)

Middlesbrough 1 (Emnes), Championship, April 2012

STATS…

The home side in this fixture has won in each of the last four meetings.

The teams also met in the third round of the FA Cup in 2007; Middlesbrough winning the replay 4-3 after a 1-1 draw at the KC Stadium.

Hull have not won in their last eight games away from the KC Stadium.

ODDS…

Middlesbrough to win: 2.37

Hull to win: 2.9

Draw: 3.1

TV: Highlights on ITV1 at 11.05pm