Hull City vs. Ipswich Town: Preview, Predictions & Betting Odds

This Saturday, Hull City and Ipswich Town will face off in a pivotal EFL Championship match that could have significant implications for both teams' seasons. As we approach this encounter, let’s delve into the specifics of each team, their current form, and what this match could potentially mean for their immediate futures in the league.

• Both Teams To Score @ -165 With BetMGM
• Draw @ +260 With BetMGM
• Draw And Under 2.5 Match Goals @ +105 With BetMGM

These odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

• Date: 27/04/2024
• Kick-off time: 20:00
• Location: MKM Stadium

Hull City find themselves in a precarious position at 7th in the table, having amassed 66 points from 43 games. This season has been solid for the Tigers, though there's a prevailing sentiment that Liam Rosenior might have underachieved given the considerable investments made in the squad. This was expected to be a season where Hull would solidify their claim for a playoff spot and challenge strongly for promotion. However, with the team currently six points adrift of the 6th placed Norwich City, albeit with a game in hand, their aspirations for promotion are under threat.

Much of Hull’s gameplay this season has centred around a unified possession-based approach but certain players have stood out, with notable performances from centre-back Jacob Greaves and winger Jadon Philogene. Both players have been standout performers and are seen as pivotal in Hull’s push for a playoff spot. The concern for Hull is that failure to achieve promotion could see them lose these key players, which would be a significant blow going into the next season.

By contrast, Ipswich Town's campaign has been nothing short of spectacular. Positioned 2nd in the league with 89 points from the same number of games as Hull, Ipswich are on the cusp of an automatic promotion spot, looking to emulate Southampton’s back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League in 2012. Under the guidance of Kieran McKenna, Ipswich have become the darlings of the Championship, capturing the imagination and support of neutrals with their dynamic and spirited performances.

Ipswich’s success has been built on a foundation of astute tactical awareness and effective utilisation of their resources. Despite operating on a significantly lower budget compared to some of their more financially endowed rivals, they have not only competed but excelled. Players like Leif Davis, who leads the assist charts with 20 assists, on-loan striker Kieffer Moore, and attacking midfielder Conor Chaplin have been instrumental in their success. Their ability to perform consistently well against financially stronger teams speaks volumes about the team’s character and the managerial acumen of McKenna.

Looking at the recent head-to-head meetings, Hull have historically had the upper hand with three wins out of the last five encounters. However, Ipswich have won the last two meetings, including a convincing 3-0 victory back in October. This suggests a shift in dynamics between the two teams, with Ipswich possibly having figured out a formula to counter Hull’s strengths.

This upcoming match is crucial for both sides but for different reasons. Hull City desperately need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. Given the tight competition at the top of the table, any slip-up now could be disastrous for their aspirations of playing in the Premier League next season. For Ipswich, the stakes are equally high but for a different reason. A win here could solidify their position in the automatic promotion spots, making a return to the Premier League an increasingly likely prospect.

As we anticipate this fixture, it’s clear that both Hull City and Ipswich Town have a lot riding on the outcome. For Hull, it’s about keeping their promotion dreams alive, and for Ipswich, it’s about inching closer to a fairy-tale promotion. This game is set to be a strategic battle, with both managers needing to balance attack and defence effectively. As such, fans can expect a tense, closely contested match that epitomises the drama and excitement of the Championship.

Hull Team News

Hull are coming into this game with a near-clean bill of health, with Anass Zaroury their only absentee heading into this game.

Liam Delap made his long-awaited return from injury off the bench at the weekend and will hope to claim more minutes here, as he and Bill Sharp challenge Ozan Tufan for a place in the starting lineup.

Ipswich Team News

Ipswich Town are boasting a clean bill of health after a full week’s rest and come into this game with a fully fit squad.

Kieran McKenna often rotates his forwards regardless of their last result so Kieffer Moore could come back in up top, while Nathan Broadhead will hope to usurp Jeremy Sarmiento on the left wing.

The Tigers’ recent form has been solid but not overly impressive as they come into this game with two wins, two draws and one loss from their last five games. Most recently, Hull were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw away at Watford in a game that was more even than they would have liked.

Prior to that, goals from Ozan Tufan, Fábio Carvalho and Jaden Philogene sealed a 3-0 win over Queens Park Rangers which followed a 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough, where the goals came from Philogene and Jean Michaël Seri, which followed a 3-1 win over Cardiff City (thanks to a brace from Carvalho and a goal from Philogene) and a 3-1 defeat to Leeds United.

Hull have struggled in front of their own fans of late and have actually been more effective on the road, as they come into this one having won just one of their last five games on home soil.

Ipswich’s form has been a little bit rocky lately too, with the Tractor Boys having won two, drawn two and lost one of their last five games. Most recently, Ipswich were held to a 1-1 draw at home against Middlesbrough where a Massimo Luongo strike was only good enough for a point in a result that followed a 0-0 draw against Watford and a 1-0 defeat away at rivals Norwich City, meaning they’re now three games without a win.

Their two wins came against Southampton and Blackburn Rovers, with the former a dramatic 3-2 win that saw Jeremy Sarmiento net the winner in stoppage-time and the latter a tight 1-0 win in which a Conor Chaplin goal was enough to see them scrape past the finish line.

Away from home, Ipswich have won three and lost two of their last five games.

Ipswich, like every other automatic promotion contender, have looked nervy in recent weeks and face a huge game here in terms of importance and difficulty. Given Hull have a playoff place to play for we think it’s probably going to be too much for Ipswich to go to Hull and take all three points based on their recent performances but they’re very, very tough to beat so we expect these two sides to share the spoils. Hull City 1-1 Ipswich Town.

Hull City vs. Ipswich Town will be available to watch on the Peacock Network (An NBC live-streaming Platform)