Hull boss Iain Dowie braced for Burnley backlash

Dowie was appointed as a football management consultant in March

Hull boss Iain Dowie believes Burnley's 6-1 defeat to Manchester City may make them a more dangerous opponent in Saturday's crucial relegation clash.

"They will be hurting, that will add to the spice. I understand how colossal a game it is, not just for the club but for the city of Hull," said Dowie.

Both sides are in the Premier League's bottom three, but Hull have three points and a game in hand on Burnley.

West Ham, one point clear of the drop zone, meet Sunderland on the same day.

But Dowie believes Wolves, Bolton and Wigan could also be drawn into the fight to avoid slipping into the Championship.

606: DEBATE

I am going to go for a 2-0 win to the Tigers, I just feel the KC crowd can be the difference

eastern hull is wonderful

"I think Sunderland are definitely out of it now and the rest of us are where we are," he said.

"What we must do is get a result and all of a sudden other teams are under pressure."

Dowie has given Hull captain George Boateng a 45% chance of being involved at the KC Stadium after the midfielder was given the all-clear following a kick to the head against Stoke last weekend.

Victory for Hull would put them within a point of Wigan, who they play in their penultimate match of the season, and two points behind Bolton and Wolves.

Like Dowie, Laws is believes the shock of last weekend's defeat at Turf Moor, in which they conceded four goals in the first 20 minutes, may galvanise his side.

"I want a response and it would be nice to think we can get a result. Maybe it was the kick up the backside that we need," said Laws.

Burnley will be attempting to improve on dismal away form - the Clarets have earned only one point from 16 away matches in the Premier League this season.

But Laws hopes his side can replicate Wigan and Aston Villa's victorious responses to a 9-1 defeat to Tottenham and 7-1 loss to Chelsea respectively.

"The one thing I want is a reaction and I take heart from other teams this season," added Laws.

"There have been some ridiculous scores this year in the Premier League.

"You look at Wigan, who conceded nine goals - the very next game, they react positively and get a result. Aston Villa, same thing, get a result."