Hull City V Queens Park Rangers: Shakespeare relishing challenge from leaders

Championship: Hull CITY assistant manager Craig Shakespeare believes the challenge of taking on leaders Queens Park Rangers today will bring the best out of the Yorkshire side.

The Tigers are on an impressive run after having lost just once in 12 league outings but face a stern test at the KC Stadium against a visiting team who have led the Championship for several months.

Shakespeare said: "We know QPR have a good record and are top of the table, so I think this will be a good test for us.

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"Neil Warnock is renowned for getting his teams 'at it' and they have been up there all season.

"The recent loan signings they have made show that they have some clout behind them and they are up there on merit. It will be a tough game but it is also one we can look forward to.

"We want the three points and we have to take confidence and positivity from our own performances."

Hull should have hosted Rangers at the start of December but the game fell victim to the Arctic weather. Today's fixture was arranged as soon as both teams had been knocked out of the FA Cup in the third round.

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Rangers manager Neil Warnock, meanwhile, insists his side will have to be at their best today against Nigel Pearson's fast-improving Tigers.

He said: "Hull are one of the form teams in the Championship after going on a good run so they must be flying. The run has not surprised me as I always felt Nigel had the makings of a decent squad and one that he has been able to add to.

"I am looking forward to going to Hull as they are a smashing club. I have a lot of time for Adam (Pearson, Hull's head of football operations) and Nigel. It will be good to see them."

Last six games: Hull City DLWLWD, QPR WLDLDW.

Referee: K Hill (Hertfordshire).

Last time: Hull City 1 QPR 1; April 12, 2008; Championship.

SkyBet odds: Hull to win 15-8, QPR to win 11-8, Draw 12-5.