Mike Phelan, pictured, pits his wits against Pep Guardiola on Boxing Day

Mike Phelan stressed the visit of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City to the KCOM Stadium on Boxing Day will provide his Premier League underdogs with all the motivation they need. The Tigers, bottom of the table at Christmas, embark on a daunting fixture schedule with a clash against title-chasing City before another home game against Everton and a trip to top-eight side West Brom.