The Tigers are back at home this weekend for a huge clash in the Premier League

Hull City and Ipswich Town have never met in the top flight of English football, though that will all change on Saturday when the two clubs meet in the Premier League for the first time.

Separated by 11 points in last season's Championship, City ended up winning promotion in the most glorious of ways, through the play-offs at Wembley, while Town finished second behind Coventry City. For some of their fans, their campaign was a tad underwhelming, even though it ended in an instant return to the Premier League.

When the pair go head-to-head this weekend, the battle will be for vital points in England's top flight, and rarely, if ever, will more have been on the line for both clubs.

City have won two, drawn four and lost two of their opening eight games and sit 10th on 10 points, while under new manager Gary O'Neil, the Tractor Boys also have 10 points courtesy of three wins, four defeats and a solitary draw. That came last time out at home to Nottingham Forest.

Sergej Jakirovic's Tigers have not won since their first away game of the season at Coventry City in late August, but have not yet been beaten at the MKM Stadium, and have made their home ground something of a fortress, thus far.

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After going unbeaten in 14 games against Ipswich in league and cup, City have lost four and drawn one of the last five games, but if that record can be turned on its head come Saturday evening, the Tigers would take another huge step towards securing their top-flight status.

Of course, nothing is decided at the end of October. We'll only be nine games into a 38-game season, but getting points on the board early on is so, so important. It's important for any team in the league; however, it's especially crucial for a newly-promoted team looking to get towards 40 points as quickly as possible.

And whisper it quietly, it would also see City surpass the record belonging to the worst team in Premier League history. That accolade remains firmly attached to Derby County, who just about managed to reach 11 points when they were last in the top flight. Why is that relevant, some will ask? Well, there were some suggestions within minutes of the play-off final victory that Hull City would break that particular record.

It's six games since City last tasted victory in the Premier League, and while they've only been beaten twice in that time, victory in the second of two home games is absolutely crucial.

And with the greatest of respect to a very good Ipswich side, this would have been a game the staff, players and supporters would have targeted when the fixtures were released, and so, too, would have the opposition.

Victories in the Premier League are so incredibly hard to come by. That fact was proven at Chelsea when City came from behind to lead 2-1, only to be pegged back by Joao Pedro. Again, at Newcastle, a crazy opening 10 minutes saw them fall 2-0 down, before fighting back. Ultimately, that self-destructive opening proved a bridge too far.

At home to Brentford on Sunday, City were the better side for an hour before losing their way a little and were forced to settle for a point. Wins are hard to come by in the Championship, and then you get into the Premier League, and the challenge is altogether tougher.

Victories are like Goldust. Every game is an event, and has the power to make such a huge difference to not only your points tally, but also your confidence, momentum and the rest of it.

After Saturday, the Tigers then head back to London to face the champions at the Emirates, knowing they'll have to show a bit more than they did on their last trip to the capital a couple of weeks ago (against Fulham).

Once we all return from the international break, the Premier League will finally land at a bit of fixture consistency with 10 games before the FA Cup third round in early January, and along that road City will face Manchester City and Liverpool, amongst others.

Points are so hard to get in this division, and that's why Saturday's game for both teams has even more riding on it than perhaps your average.

Now would be the perfect time for City to scrap, battle and fight their way to a victory that might just go a long, long way to helping them reach that magical 40-point marker.

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