It may seem strange considering Hull City’s lowly Premier League standing, but a trip to the KCOM Stadium represents a daunting challenge these days.

The Tigers, who sit 17th, are unbeaten in their last seven league outings on home soil, a run which has featured five wins, and their boss, Marco Silva, boasts an even more impressive record.

The Portuguese’s copybook in his own back yard in unblemished by defeat in his last 40 games, and his arrival has lifted Hull after they looked almost certain for relegation at the turn of the year.

Watford head coach Walter Mazzarri is all too aware of the impressive stat and expects a tough test on Humberside tomorrow afternoon.

“I think since 2014 he (Silva) has not lost a match at home. This number will already tell you how difficult Saturday is going to be,” he said.

“They won against important teams; Bournemouth, Liverpool, West Ham and Swansea. If we look at the home record and the points they have at home they are in a good way.”

Watford’s own impressive form – they have won three of their last four league games – means they arrive in Hull all but certain of their Premier League status.

While Mazzarri is delighted with his side’s recent efforts, he says the sense of safety may lead to a lack of intensity he is eager to avoid.

He said: “It is not easy to motivate the players. After the win on Saturday, they might feel safe.

“I hope I have managed to get in their head everything that I have spoken about during the week.

“There are concepts I have tried to bring forward since I have first got here, to do your best at every match and not look at the table.”

Mazzarri remained coy when quizzed on fitness issues ahead of tomorrow’s encounter, but revealed Craig Cathcart is likely to miss the clash.

He will, however, be able to call on Miguel Britos again after the defender completed his two match suspension against Swansea last time out.