Hull City vs Ipswich Town: Can the Tigers claim a crucial home victory?

Hull City host Ipswich Town at the MKM Stadium on Saturday at 15:00 in a crucial Premier League clash.

Hull’s start to life back in the top flight promised plenty.

They drew 2-2 at Chelsea and picked up around eight points from their first four games.

Sergej Jakirovic said: “We’ve improved a lot and also collected some experience and I think, except Fulham, in every game we were competitive. We can play, we can create some problems no matter home or away and this is very good. We will try to continue like this.”

Hull have not won a Premier League game since August and are winless in six league matches.

Still, they remain unbeaten in four home games, and a point against Brentford could go a long way.

Mohamed Belloumi is the main threat in midfield, looking a step above some of Hull’s other stars.

Gary O’Neil said: “I have a lot of respect for Hull and what they’re doing.

I think they have a way that they do it and I don’t think it matters what way that is, they’re very good at it.

You don’t get nine games into a season and 46 games through a Championship season getting away with stuff.

They’re not; they have a style that gives teams problems, they’ve caused almost every team problems.

They’re direct, they’re hardworking, they win loads of duels, they use McBurnie a lot, they defend with a lot of numbers, so it’s going to be a tough game.”

Ipswich have made a bright start to their campaign and have been a competitive side, playing good football at times.

Their away form has been less consistent, with three defeats in four league trips.

Julio Enciso is the main threat, with his creativity and end product a constant danger in the final third. He has a goal and two assists so far this season.

This is the first time these clubs have met in the top flight.

Recent meetings have favoured Ipswich, who won 2-0 at the MKM Stadium in November 2025 and 1-0 at Portman Road in March.

Hull have not beaten Ipswich in their last five meetings, losing four.

Team News:

Jakirovic has confirmed there are no fresh injury concerns in his squad, as Nobel Mendy returns to contention this weekend.

The Tigers boss said he has a fit 27-man squad available and that his job now is to “pick the right” line-up.

Saša Lukić is a fitness question for Ipswich, having been sidelined with a groin injury that kept him out of recent matches.

O’Neil said: “He was on the grass today and he looked good to be fair, so we’ll make a call on Saša tomorrow.”

He added: “He’s an important player for us, so we’ve missed him a lot in the last few weeks.”

Predicted line-ups:

Hull City (5-4-1): Tzolakis; Coyle, Ajayi, Egan, Herrington, Giles; Belloumi, Iroegbunam, Slater, Stroud; McBurnie.

Ipswich Town (4-2-3-1): Walton; Ouattara, O’Shea, Diop, Davis; Palacios, Luis; Fatawu, Enciso, Philogene; Emersonn.

Hull will fight, and a home point against Brentford would be a real boost for Jakirovic’s men.

But Ipswich have more quality up top, and that should be the difference.

Hull 1-2 Ipswitch