Hull City: Ray Parlour namechecks Leeds, Leicester and Southampton in promotion prediction | OneFootball

Hull City are one of many sides still vying for a place in the play-offs as we enter the final stages of the Championship season.

The Tigers have undergone a major transformation on and off the pitch, with head coach Liam Rosenior and chairman Acun Ilicali at the heart of the evolution that has made the East Yorkshire side a force to be reckoned with in the second tier.

Many outsiders viewed the club as having an outside chance of making the play-offs for the first time since their last promotion to the Premier League eight years ago. However, the strength of numerous squads also targeting the same ambition means that Rosenior and his side face a tall order if they are to achieve their targets in the coming weeks and months.

Ray Parlour highlights potential problem for Hull City

Ray Parlour featured 15 times at the MKM Stadium on loan from Middlesbrough in the 2006/07 campaign, when City secured their survival with a game to spare, before reaching the top flight for the first time ever just a year later.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, via NetBet Sports Betting, Parlour predicted it will be tough for Hull to win promotion this term - referencing the strength of Leeds, Leicester, and Southampton’s squads as one of the key factors.

Asked whether it would be difficult for the Tigers to go up even if they finish in the top six, he replied: “Yes.

“Hull City are having a great season. They are performing consistently well and have invested well in the squad.

“Liam Rosenior is doing an excellent job and you can see he has all the players on side."

“With Leeds, Leicester and Southampton having bigger squads, it is difficult to compete with them," he added. “Ipswich are playing some great football and pushing hard for automatic promotion.

“The two remaining places are up for grabs and Hull City are in amongst it.

“West Brom and Norwich are in great form and moving ahead of Hull City, but there is still time for them to make fifth or sixth.

He concluded: “With the Easter period having many games, should Hull get maximum points, they are right in the mix.”

Hull City's chances of reaching the play-offs

As Parlour alludes to, the Tigers are enjoying a fine season and still have a great chance of reaching the play-offs come the conclusion of the regular season on May 4th.

However, the main problem they face in the short-term is that the two sides above them, West Bromwich Albion in fifth and Norwich City in sixth have been in fine form since the turn of the year, with the Canaries accumulating the joint-second highest points tally - 27 from a possible 39.

There's no doubt that Hull possess one of the strongest squads in the division on paper following their January business, with Fabio Carvalho in particular making an instant impact, as the Liverpool loanee has notched four goals in 11 appearances - including one in the 2-2 draw with Leicester City last time out.

Despite this, if the Tigers are to miss out on the play-offs, then fingers will be pointed at their home form, which has seen numerous occasions where points have been dropped, including a recent 1-1 draw against Birmingham City. However, to their benefit, they do have a game in hand against Coventry City, which falls just days after the Sky Blues' upcoming FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United.

Whilst Parlour's verdict rings true that whoever misses out on automatic promotion will be the favourites, Hull will more than fancy their chances, if they make the play-offs, having taken four points off Leicester, drawing with Leeds and beating Southampton at St Mary's last month.

Stoke City, searching for their first win in four, which would simultaneously extend their unbeaten run to seven games.