Friday 10 March 2017 17:32, UK
Hull City head coach Marco Silva believes his side "have to win" Saturday's match with Swansea as they look to close the gap on the teams above them.
The Tigers go into the weekend 19th in the Premier League table, four points adrift of the safety zone and six points behind Swansea.
Victory at the KCOM Stadium would keep Paul Clement's side in the relegation mire, with Hull keen to bounce back from defeat to Leicester last time out.
"Yes, it's true, we have to win," Silva said. "After the last result, of course we need to give an answer.
"In our stadium, with our fans, with that support, it's very important for us.
"The last results at home, Burnley was not the best, but past results are a good sign and give us confidence as well and we need to win.
"Of course we respect our opponent, but it's a really important game for us and it's one game we need to get three points."
Silva, who was leading Olympiakos towards the Greek title this time last year, did attempt to play down the pressure he and his players are under, insisting there are important matters to be decided at both ends of the table in the latter stages of the season.
"It's not only our players. Not only our club," he added. "This moment is the start of games [to decide] the champions, qualification for European competitions and to remain in the Premier League.
"There's pressure on all these teams. It's football, it's normal and the other clubs have this pressure as well."
Eldin Jakupovic has also been discussing their survival hopes and the Hull goalkeeper believes as little as 36 points may be enough to retain their place in the top-flight.
"I don't think we need 40 points to stay in the Premier League, I think we need 36 or 37 points," he said.
"One point would get us nearer the 36 and we would have to take the point, so better that than nothing.
"I don't want to say it, but for me, it's not the final game, but it's a massive game."
