DEFENDER Kamil Zayatte believes Hull can kill off one of their relegation rivals in Middlesbrough this weekend.

The Tigers travel to the Riverside Stadium today for a vital match at the bottom of the Barclays Premier League.

Hull are just five points above the bottom three and Boro’s predicament is even worse.

Gareth Southgate’s men are 19th and five points adrift of safety and Zayatte wants to put clear distance between the two clubs.

The 24-year-old Guinea international said: ‘‘It is very important because Middlesbrough are like Hull City. If we win this game I think you kill Middlesbrough.

‘‘Both teams are in the fight to stay in the Premier League and it is very nervous for both sides.

‘‘Middlesbrough have more pressure on them. They lost 4-1 at Bolton and they need to win to stay in the Premier League.’’ Hull have won just one in 15 since beating Middlesbrough 2-1 at the KC Stadium in December, but have five points from their last four games.

One of those came in a goalless draw against another troubled side, Portsmouth, last week, and Zayatte added: ‘‘Everybody is working together and in two games we have conceded one goal at Wigan. That is very good for the defenders and the team.’’ Manager Phil Brown did not join Zayatte in claiming a win could finish off Boro, instead focusing on the importance of avoiding defeat.

He said: ‘‘For us victory means we’ll have 37 points, and if results go for us we could climb two or three places up the table.

‘‘At this stage of the season that will play a big part psychologically.”