Hull City vs Ipswich Town: Premier League preview, fan view and prediction
Hull City welcome Ipswich Town to the MKM Stadium for their first-ever Premier League meeting this weekend. Both promoted sides sit on 10 points after eight games, with the Tigers 10th and Ipswich two places below. A Hull City fan gives us the inside track on form, tactics and what to expect.
- Fixture: Hull City vs Ipswich Town
- Competition: Premier League
- Venue: MKM Stadium
- Date: This weekend (exact date and kick-off time not stated in source)
- TV: Not stated in source
- Key fact: Both sides have 10 points from eight games; Hull City are 10th, Ipswich Town are 12th.
What was said
James Fletcher, from The1904Club, gave his assessment of Hull City’s start to the season and the challenge posed by Ipswich Town.
"I don't think any Hull City fan can be disappointed at what the Tigers have displayed in the opening eight league games of the season. They've stuck to defensive principles and respected the division from minute one. Maybe that's why they have the joint fourth best defence in the division?"
"Where other clubs in the past have been promoted and tried to play an attacking or possession based style and then been picked off, Hull City have set-up to defend their box relentlessly and then be prolific on the counter."
"In short, not really. The Bosnian head coach has stuck to a back five, and it's definitely a five at Hull City. The mission is simple, eliminate space in the middle and indeed their own box and then pray on spaces the opposition leave behind."
"Mohamed Belloumi, he is the X-factor in attack for Hull City. He has all the attributes to become a seriously good winger in the Premier League. Pace, agility, flair, and the rest. The recently-capped Algerian loves to chance his arm from range, and when it works. It gets fans off their seats."
"But even know the numbers suggest Hull City will park two buses in the box, expect a basketball game, and a result that very tricky to predict. A score draw if you forced me into a prediction. 2-2 if you pressed me further."
The numbers
- League position: Hull City 10th, Ipswich Town 12th
- Points: Both on 10 after eight games
- Defence: Hull City have the joint fourth best defence in the Premier League
- Belloumi: Three goals and two assists so far this season
- McBurnie: Off the mark with a penalty against Brentford last Sunday
Team news
Hull City: Sergej Jakirović has stuck with a back five, and it’s pretty much the same defence that played throughout last year’s promotion-winning campaign. Semi Ajayi is part of a leading group for player of the season, with his defensive teammates not far behind. John Egan continues to feature and demonstrate leadership. Hull-born captain Lewie Coyle continues to give everything he has, even though a sizeable section of the fanbase would have replaced him in the summer. Brooke Norton-Cuffy, signed from Genoa, can play in his position but has to be content with a seat on the bench most weeks. Oli McBurnie leads the line upfront.
Ipswich Town: No specific team news was provided in the source.
Jakirović’s blueprint: defence first, counter hard
Sergej Jakirović has resisted the temptation to abandon the principles that earned Hull City promotion. The Bosnian head coach has kept faith with a back five, and according to James Fletcher, it is "definitely a five". The approach is designed to eliminate space in the middle and inside their own box, then punish opponents on the break. That discipline has helped the Tigers to the joint fourth best defensive record in the division after eight games.
The personnel has barely changed. The defence that served Hull City so well in the Championship remains largely intact, with Semi Ajayi among the standout performers and John Egan providing leadership. Captain Lewie Coyle continues to divide opinion among supporters, but his commitment is unquestioned. Brooke Norton-Cuffy, signed from Genoa, offers competition at full-back but has mostly been used from the bench. Up front, Oli McBurnie got off the mark with a penalty against Brentford last Sunday, though Jakirović has publicly acknowledged the need to get him more involved in open play.
Mohamed Belloumi is the man to watch. The recently-capped Algerian winger has three goals and two assists this season, including a brace at Chelsea that thrust him into the national spotlight. Fletcher believes Belloumi has the attributes to become a seriously good Premier League winger and could reach double figures for goals and assists if he stays fit. His willingness to shoot from range gets fans off their seats, and he will be central to Hull City’s hopes of breaking down an Ipswich side that has impressed with its composure.
Talking points
- Can Hull City shed the ‘relegation candidates’ tag? Some sections of the fanbase want to see the club kick on and remove the label placed on them by the media. A win over a fellow promoted side would help.
- McBurnie’s involvement: The striker scored from the spot against Brentford, but Jakirović has admitted the team must get him on the ball more. That is the next puzzle to solve.
- Belloumi’s ceiling: The winger has been compared to Riyad Mahrez after his brace at Chelsea. If he stays fit, he could be the difference in a tight game.
What happens next
Hull City will look to build on their solid start and climb further up the Premier League table. After facing Ipswich Town, the Tigers will continue their campaign with fixtures to be confirmed. The focus will remain on maintaining their defensive discipline while finding ways to support McBurnie in attack. A positive result against Ipswich would strengthen the belief that this squad can comfortably survive in the top flight.
Frequently asked questions
What is Hull City’s league position?
Hull City are 10th in the Premier League after eight games, with 10 points.
Who is Hull City’s key player to watch?
Mohamed Belloumi, who has scored three goals and provided two assists this season, is described as the X-factor in attack.
What is the predicted score?
James Fletcher predicts a 2-2 draw, expecting a ‘basketball game’ at the MKM Stadium.
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