Prediction: Match to end in 1-1 draw
Best Odds: 11/2
Bookmaker: Zetbet
Hull City and Middlesbrough will lock horns with each other in the Championship this week. The match between Sergej Jakirovic’s side and Kim Hellberg’s team will be held at the MKM Stadium and is scheduled to kick off at 8pm UK time on Friday.
Hull City
Hull City were once playing in the Premier League, but now they are an also-ran in the Championship. The Tigers ended up as low as 21st in the second tier of English football last season and will hope to do much better this time around.
Sergej Jakirovic’s side are doing well at the moment. Hull are as high as seventh in the Championship table with 28 points from 18 games, a point behind sixth-placed Bristol City and five points behind second-placed Middlesbrough.
Hull have won three of their last six Championship games, with their latest victory coming against Stoke City away from home at the bet365 Stadium last weekend.
After the match, Hull manager Jakirovic BBC Radio Humberside: “I’m very satisfied, especially after the second half when we played very well.
“The first half was not satisfying at all because we didn’t play well, they were much better than us.
“I said to the players, if we continue like this, we can go home immediately. But what I like most about this team is that they can change everything.
“With the two substitutions at half-time, our reaction was very good. Also we started to run and fight for every ball. We equalised early and that gave us more confidence, more power, strength and energy.
“At the end, we stole a goal. It was a great counter-attack and Joffy [Joe Gelhardt] scored and I’m very happy because it was an important victory.”
Team News:
Hull City are likely to line up in a 4-4-2 formation against Middlesbrough. Ivor Pandur will be in goal for the Tigers. Lewie Coyle, Semi Ajayi, John Egan and Ryan Giles will be the four defenders. Joe Gelhardt, Regan Slater, Darko Gyabi and Joel Ndala will be the four midfielders. Matt Crooks and Enis Destan will be the two centre-forwards.
Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough are one of the biggest clubs in the Championship, and their number one target this season is to end up in the top two and win automatic promotion to the Premier League. They ended up as low as 10th in the standings in the 2024-25 season, but things are going better this time around.
Kim Hellberg’s side are second in the Championship table at the moment with 33 points from 18 matches, 10 points behind leaders Coventry City and two points ahead of third-placed Millwall.
Middlesbrough will head into the Championship against Hull City this week on the back of a 2-1 victory over Derby County at the Riverside Stadium in the league last weekend. It was Hellberg’s first game in charge of Boro following Rob Edwards’ decision to leave for Wolverhampton Wanderers.
After the match, Middlesbrough manager Hellberg said on BBC Radio Tees: “It was amazing. We talked about it inside.
“One minute we are 1-0 down and the rain pours down, it was thank you very much… welcome to England!
“But I am so happy and proud of the lads, how they performed over 90 minutes against a tough opponent who have won a lot of games recently and who are very good at defending. So it’s massive.
“What was going through my mind? Damn it’s quick [Derby’s opening goal]. No it was a special one just because the beginning of the game it was a tough welcome.
“But that is when you have to show character and bring energy and try to do everything you can to help the lads.
“They are a very strong group who work hard and want to learn. They leave no man behind in fighting for each other and the body language from everyone was very, very good.”
Team News:
Middlesbrough are likely to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Hull City. Solomon Brynn will be in goal for Boro. Callum Brittain, Alfie Jones, Matt Targett and Alex Bangura will be the four defenders. Alan Browne and Hayden Hackney will be the two holding midfielders. Morgan Whittaker, Sontje Hansen and Delano Burgzorg will be the three attacking midfielders. Tommy Conway will lead the line for Middlesbrough.
Key Factors to Consider
- Hull City have won 8 of their 18 Championship matches so far this campaign.
- Joe Gelhardt has scored 9 goals and given 2 assists in 18 Championship matches for Hull City so far this campaign.
- Hull City have a goal difference of 0 – they have scored 30 goals and conceded as many in 18 Championship matches so far this campaign.
- Middlesbrough have scored 24 goals and conceded 19 goals in 18 Championship games so far this season.
- Middlesbrough have lost 3 of theor 18 Championship games so far this season.
Conclusion
Middlesbrough have done well this season, but they are not in their best form at the moment. While Boro will head into the Championship game against Hull as favourites, it is very likely that it will end in a draw.
Prediction: Match to end in 1-1 draw
Best Odds: 11/2
Bookmaker: Zetbet
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