Hull City manager Sergej Jakirovic anticipates a challenging match as his team prepares to face Newcastle United this weekend at St James’ Park. The Tigers, who have maintained an unbeaten start to their Premier League campaign, travel to Tyneside buoyed by a hard-earned draw against Chelsea last week. They aim to extend their positive run when they meet Matthias Jaissle’s Newcastle side, which is coming off a heavy 4-1 defeat against Leeds United on Monday.

Jakirovic emphasized the difficulty of the upcoming fixture, noting that Newcastle will likely approach the game with urgency following their recent loss. He highlighted the demanding style of play the Magpies are expected to bring, referencing his familiarity with Jaissle’s tactics developed during his time at Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig. “There’s a lot of man-marking and pressing, and their reaction after losing possession is very aggressive,” Jakirovic said. He added that physical energy and intensity will be crucial for Hull to remain compact and competitive throughout the match.

Reflecting on Newcastle’s defeat by Leeds, Jakirovic pointed out several key moments that influenced the outcome. He described the opening goal as somewhat fortunate due to a deflection, followed by a midfield error that led to a scoring opportunity for Leeds. Despite a save from Newcastle’s goalkeeper preventing an immediate second goal, the visitors had already secured a significant advantage before halftime. Jakirovic also mentioned the impact of Newcastle winger Nico Gonzalez’s injury as a setback for the team.

Despite acknowledging the strength of the Newcastle squad and the challenges posed by their style, Jakirovic remains focused on his own team’s performance. “If we have the same energy as before, it will be a very good game, but anything less than full commitment will cause problems,” he said. Hull enters the match determined to preserve their unbeaten record and continues to build confidence as they adapt to life in the Premier League.