Hull City vs Ipswich Town: Predicted line-ups and team news for Premier League clash

Hull City welcome Ipswich Town to the MKM Stadium on Saturday for their first-ever top-flight meeting. The Tigers are winless in the Premier League since August, while Ipswich sit 12th, level on 10 points. Here are the predicted line-ups, team news and our prediction.

  • Match: Hull City vs Ipswich Town, Premier League gameweek nine
  • Venue: MKM Stadium
  • Date: Saturday (kick-off time TBC)
  • Hull form: D, D, L, D, L, D in Premier League
  • Ipswich form: L, W, L, W, L, D in Premier League
  • Prediction: Hull City 2-1 Ipswich Town

Confirmed line-ups

Both managers are expected to name strong sides, but injuries force Hull into several changes. The predicted line-ups are below.

Hull City (3-5-2)

Starting XI: Tzolakis; Coyle, Ajayi, Egan, Herrington, Giles; Belloumi, Iroegbunam, Slater, Stroud; McBurnie

Substitutes: Not confirmed

Ipswich Town (4-2-3-1)

Starting XI: Walton; Ouattara, O'Shea, Diop, Davis; Palacios, Luis; Fatawu, Enciso, Philogene; Emersonn

Substitutes: Not confirmed

Selection notes

Hull are without Eliot Matazo (knee), Matt Targett (ankle), Ilyas Ansah (back), Darko Gyabi (groin) and Charlie Hughes (groin). Lucas Gourna-Douath (calf), Nobel Mendy (groin) and Jack Butland (arm) are doubtful and will be assessed before kick-off.

For Ipswich, only Jack Taylor is definitely ruled out. Sasa Lukic will be assessed due to a groin issue before Saturday's match.

Mohamed Belloumi remains Hull's leading threat with three goals and two assists, while Oli McBurnie opened his account for the season from the penalty spot last week. Ipswich have three players who have scored more than once this term: Zian Flemming, Emersonn and Leif Davis have netted twice apiece.

Injury and availability

  • Hull City: Eliot Matazo (knee), Matt Targett (ankle), Ilyas Ansah (back), Darko Gyabi (groin), Charlie Hughes (groin) – out; Lucas Gourna-Douath (calf), Nobel Mendy (groin), Jack Butland (arm) – doubtful.
  • Ipswich Town: Jack Taylor – out; Sasa Lukic (groin) – doubtful.

The numbers

  • Hull are the joint-lowest scorers in the top half with 9 goals, level with Leeds United and Aston Villa.
  • Hull have not scored more than twice in any of their 10 matches across all competitions this term.
  • Hull are unbeaten in four matches at the MKM Stadium.
  • Hull have not defeated Ipswich in any meeting since November 2020 in League One.
  • Ipswich have lost three of their four away matches in the Premier League this season.
  • Both teams are level on 10 points; Ipswich are four points clear of 18th-placed Nottingham Forest.
  • Zian Flemming has scored both of his goals away from home, continuing his remarkable travelling form after netting eight of his 11 strikes for Burnley in 2025-26 on the road.

Why Hull's home record gives them the edge

Hull City have struggled for attacking fluency, yet remaining unbeaten across four home matches suggests that Sergej Jakirovic's men are comfortable in familiar surroundings. The Tigers have kept a solid base at the MKM Stadium and will look to Belloumi and McBurnie to provide the cutting edge. Belloumi has been the main creative outlet with three goals and two assists, but he has been unable to make the difference in the last two games against Fulham and Brentford. McBurnie, who scored 17 Championship goals in 2025-26 and has previously recorded two six-goal Premier League campaigns, hopes to add to his top-flight tally after opening his account from the spot last week.

Ipswich, under Gary O'Neil, have shown attacking variety with three players scoring more than once. Zian Flemming in particular has been lethal away from home, scoring both of his goals on the road and continuing a remarkable travelling form that saw him net eight of his 11 strikes for Burnley in 2025-26 away from Turf Moor. However, the Tractor Boys have been inconsistent on their travels, losing three of four. O'Neil will hope to replicate the performance that saw them beat Crystal Palace 3-2 at Selhurst Park, although that result was aided by Axel Disasi receiving his marching orders with the score tied at 1-1.

With both teams on 10 points, a win for either side could lift them as high as sixth. Conversely, another away defeat for Ipswich would leave them looking over their shoulders, just four points above 18th-placed Nottingham Forest. Hull's injury list is a concern, but their home form and Ipswich's travel sickness point to a narrow home victory.

Talking points

  • Can Hull end their winless run without key men? The Tigers are missing five players and have three doubtful, but their home record remains strong.
  • Will Gary O'Neil's attacking variety overcome Ipswich's away-day blues? The Tractor Boys have lost three of four on the road.
  • Is Zian Flemming the man to break Hull's resistance? His away form is exceptional, but Hull's defence at home has been solid.
  • Does a defeat leave Ipswich looking over their shoulders? With only four points separating them from the bottom three, the pressure is on.

What happens next

Hull City will host Ipswich Town at the MKM Stadium on Saturday. A win for either side could propel them into the top six, while defeat for Ipswich would leave them nervously eyeing the relegation zone. The match kicks off at 15:00 BST on Saturday.

Frequently asked questions

What are the predicted line-ups for Hull City vs Ipswich Town?

Hull City: Tzolakis; Coyle, Ajayi, Egan, Herrington, Giles; Belloumi, Iroegbunam, Slater, Stroud; McBurnie. Ipswich Town: Walton; Ouattara, O'Shea, Diop, Davis; Palacios, Luis; Fatawu, Enciso, Philogene; Emersonn.

Who is injured for Hull City vs Ipswich Town?

Hull are without Eliot Matazo (knee), Matt Targett (ankle), Ilyas Ansah (back), Darko Gyabi (groin) and Charlie Hughes (groin), while Lucas Gourna-Douath (calf), Nobel Mendy (groin) and Jack Butland (arm) are doubtful. Ipswich are without Jack Taylor, and Sasa Lukic (groin) is doubtful.

What is the prediction for Hull City vs Ipswich Town?

Sports Mole predicts a 2-1 win for Hull City, citing their unbeaten home record and Ipswich's inconsistent away form.

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