Philip Buckingham: Hull City's Crystal Palace assignment is as tough as they come

IT HAS taken some convincing to open Steve Bruce's eyes to the prospect of automatic promotion during his first season as Hull City boss.

Take the Tigers' boss at his word and not until the 5-2 win over Birmingham City on Saturday has he truly believed this can be the final quarter of a journey towards the Premier League.

A touch of kidology, perhaps, but even the blind will see the strength of City's promotion hopes now.

Eleven games to go and the Tigers are back up to second confidently looking down on the chasing pack.

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That could change once again if tonight's trip to Crystal Palace fails to bring a first away win over the Eagles since 1985, but City are promising to click into gear at the perfect time. Four wins from five games suggests nothing else.

A full Championship programme tonight makes for a huge night and travelling to a Palace side four points adrift in fourth, City's is bigger than most.

This South London assignment is as tough as they come. Palace are unbeaten on home soil since the opening day and are targeting Bruce's men for a fourth consecutive victim at Selhurst Park.

City are an increasing threat themselves, though, and can pick up a valuable point if the sloppiness of Bolton can be forgotten as a one-off.

Prediction: Crystal Palace 1 Hull City 1