Chris Sutton predicts Hull City will be relegated despite strong start
Former Celtic striker and BBC pundit Chris Sutton has delivered a bleak verdict on Hull City's Premier League survival hopes, despite the Tigers' promising start to the season. Sutton believes Hull will still drop back to the Championship and has backed Brentford to beat them on Sunday.
- Fixture: Hull City vs Brentford, Premier League, Sunday 25 October
- Venue: Hull City's home ground
- Prediction: Chris Sutton backs Brentford to win
- Relegation verdict: Sutton still thinks Hull will be relegated
- Hull's form: Early wins over Manchester United and Coventry City, but no league victory since
What was said
"Although Hull have made a great start I still think they will get relegated. We know they will have a go at Brentford, but the Bees will be too smart for them."
"Brentford would have beaten Liverpool last week without Yehor Yarmoliuk's stupid red card. If they can keep 11 men on the pitch, they will win this one."
"It's easy to analyse this game; we were out of everything. Fulham were much better than us in any terms, in and out of possession, first and second balls, duels."
"It was men against boys. We didn't show anything today. But we cannot change anything now."
"The performances of Fulham have been good; they should have more points. We knew it would be tough today. We were completely out of it today."
"It was very frustrating, maybe we had some situations around the box but made wrong decisions. They were much more aggressive than us and could have scored more."
Sutton's comments are a direct challenge to the narrative that Hull's early-season results signal a genuine survival push. The pundit acknowledges the Tigers' strong start but insists that over the course of the campaign their quality will fall short. His faith in Brentford is built on their performance against Liverpool, which was undermined only by Yehor Yarmoliuk's red card.
Jakirovic's response to the Fulham defeat is equally telling. The Hull boss did not hide behind excuses, admitting his side were second-best in every department. That honesty is admirable, but it also underlines the scale of the challenge facing a squad that was widely tipped for an immediate return to the Championship.
Hull's season so far: a tale of two runs
Hull City began the campaign as one of the favourites for relegation, having been widely tipped for an immediate return to the Championship in pre-season. Instead, they flew out of the traps with early wins over Manchester United and Coventry City, results that instantly altered expectations around the club.
However, since those victories, the Tigers have not picked up a league win. They have, though, taken points from Aston Villa, Chelsea and Everton, showing a resilience that suggests they are not merely making up the numbers. The recent 1-0 defeat to a struggling Fulham side, though, was a stark reminder of the fine margins in the Premier League.
Jakirovic's assessment of that loss was brutally honest. "It's easy to analyse this game; we were out of everything," he said. "Fulham were much better than us in any terms, in and out of possession, first and second balls, duels. It was men against boys." The Hull manager also noted that his side made wrong decisions in the final third and that Fulham could have scored more.
Why Sutton backs Brentford to win at Hull
Sutton's prediction is not simply a dismissal of Hull's chances; it is a considered analysis of the match-up. He expects Hull to "have a go" at Brentford, but believes the Bees will be "too smart" for them. That intelligence likely refers to Brentford's tactical discipline and ability to exploit spaces left by an attacking home side.
The pundit also highlighted the impact of Yehor Yarmoliuk's red card in Brentford's previous match against Liverpool. Sutton argued that Brentford would have beaten Liverpool had they kept 11 men on the pitch. That claim is a strong endorsement of Brentford's quality and suggests that, with a full complement of players, they should have too much for Hull.
For Hull, the challenge is to prove Sutton wrong. A win against Brentford would not only boost their points tally but also silence the doubters. However, Jakirovic's side must improve dramatically on their Fulham performance, particularly in duels and decision-making around the box.
Talking points
- Is Sutton right to write off Hull's survival chances so early, or are the wins over Manchester United and Coventry a sign of genuine progress?
- Should Jakirovic make changes after the Fulham defeat, or does he trust the same players to respond against Brentford?
- How much did Yehor Yarmoliuk's red card cost Brentford against Liverpool, and will his absence or return be decisive on Sunday?
- Does Hull's ability to take points from Aston Villa, Chelsea and Everton suggest they are better than their recent winless run implies?
What happens next
Hull City host Brentford on Sunday 25 October in the Premier League. Three points would lift the Tigers and quieten the relegation talk, while a defeat would strengthen Sutton's argument. Jakirovic must find a response to the Fulham setback as his side look to end their wait for a league victory.
Frequently asked questions
What did Chris Sutton say about Hull City's relegation chances?
Sutton said: "Although Hull have made a great start I still think they will get relegated." He made the comment via the BBC Sport website ahead of Hull's game with Brentford.
Who does Chris Sutton think will win between Hull City and Brentford?
Sutton backs Brentford, saying: "We know they will have a go at Brentford, but the Bees will be too smart for them." He also believes Brentford would have beaten Liverpool without Yehor Yarmoliuk's red card.
What did Sergej Jakirovic say after Hull City lost to Fulham?
Jakirovic said: "It's easy to analyse this game; we were out of everything. Fulham were much better than us in any terms, in and out of possession, first and second balls, duels." He added: "It was men against boys. We didn't show anything today."
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