Hull City have defeated three of London's five Barclays Premier League sides this season, so West Ham United might head to the KC Stadium with some dread tomorrow. Consecutive victories over Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have lifted Hull into the top three, leaving Phil Brown, the manager, to claim that it was “Champions League form”. He did, though, stop short of suggesting that they would qualify for the competition, but only after calculating that on present form, they could end up with 76 points. “We are in a rich vein of form,” Brown said.

While Hull's fluid style has gained many plaudits, Brown said that West Ham were a very physical team. “A lot of people think West Ham are a ball-playing team, a passing team - that is what they are renowned and famed for,” he said. “I have statistics that point towards a very physical encounter. I am expecting one hell of a battle, not a pretty game of football. I hope we do get an opportunity to play some football but I am expecting one of the biggest battles of the season.”

While Hull have been showing fine form, West Ham lost 3-1 at home against Bolton Wanderers before the international break. “Hull are a team to respect and to appreciate,” Gianfranco Zola, the West Ham manager, said. “It is a great story and very good for football when teams like that come up and do so well. Obviously we want to break their dream, but we know we are going to be facing a team that is in good shape.”

Geovanni, the midfield player, has been singled out for special attention by Zola after scoring two goals from long range. “He is doing very well not only with his goals, he is a player who can pass the ball and is certainly one of the dangers we are going to face,” Zola said.