Hull vs Middlesbrough prediction 23.05.2026 | Championship
Hull City
Kick off:
Date:
Middlesbrough
1
4.35
X
3.45
2
1.83
Contents
- Competition: Championship
- Date: Saturday, 23rd May 2026
- Kickoff: 15:30 UK / 16:30 CEST
- Venue: Wembley Stadium (London)
For Hull and Middlesbrough, everything comes down to Friday's match, which will determine which side will play in the Premier League next season. Both teams played well throughout the year, and they need only one more step to return to the English top flight. Let's break down the match and find the best betting option.
Hull City vs Middlesbrough Head to Head (H2H) stats
-
Middlesbrough
0 : 1
Hull City
Championship
-
Hull City
1 : 4
Middlesbrough
Championship
-
Hull City
0 : 1
Middlesbrough
Championship
-
Middlesbrough
3 : 1
Hull City
Championship
-
Hull City
2 : 2
Middlesbrough
Championship
-
Middlesbrough
1 : 2
Hull City
Championship
Middlesbrough won three of the last four H2H matches against Hull. However, in the most recent meeting, the Tigers won 1-0. Also, it is worth noting that two of the previous three encounters ended with at least one scored goal.
Hull team overview
After barely escaping relegation last year, Hull made a complete turnaround this season. They sneaked into the playoffs and now have a good chance to return to the Premier League after nine years in the lower levels of English football. Hull had some problems in April, as they ended winless in six matches, but they won two of three games in May and will welcome the game at Wembley with a lot of confidence. In the playoff semifinal, they won 2-0 on aggregate score against Millwall.
Hull's manager, Sergej Jakirovic, is delighted with the complete season. After a victory in the playoff semifinal, he said, "I was thinking, 'OK, top 10 is our target', but when we started the season, I was, in the first months, a little bit worried how we would look, but every game we were better and better, so this is a great award for them to go to Wembley. I have never been to Wembley, so this is also my dream come true."
Hull have some injury problems. They will be without Amir Hadziahmetovic, Cody Drameh, Toby Collyer, and Eliot Matazo are out for Saturday. Also, Kyle Joseph is questionable, and his status will be clearer closer to the kickoff.
Last matches of Hull City
-
Millwall
0 : 2
Hull City
Championship
-
Hull City
0 : 0
Millwall
Championship
-
Hull City
2 : 1
Norwich City
Championship
-
Charlton Athletic
2 : 1
Hull City
Championship
-
Leicester City
2 : 2
Hull City
Championship
Hull City lineup
Goalkeeper
-
1
Ivor Pandur
Defenders
-
4
Charlie Hughes
-
15
John Egan
-
6
Semi Ajayi
Midfielders
-
2
Lewie Coyle
-
27
Regan Slater
-
25
Matt Crooks
-
3
Ryan Giles
Forwards
-
7
Liam Millar
-
9
Oli McBurnie
-
22
Kyle Joseph
Middlesbrough team overview
Like Hull, Middlesbrough can also return to the Premier League after nine years. They ended fifth in the regular season and had big expectations for the semifinal. However, Middlesbrough played against arguably the hottest team in the competition, Southampton. And they lost after the penalty shootout. But after the heartbreaking defeat, the Saints were accused of spying on Middlesbrough's training. The investigation revealed that Southampton had done the same thing a few times this season, and the EFL decided to reinstate Boro in the final.
The big question for Middlesbrough is how they will react in the final after a few days of only light training while they waited for a decision on the cheating scandal. Even Middlesbrough's head coach, Kim Hellberg, was seen in Sweden at Hammarby's game.
Hayden Hackney, Alfie Jones, and Darragh Lenihan are injured and will not play at Wembley, while Alex Bangura and Tommy Conway are questionable.
Last matches of Middlesbrough
-
Southampton
1 : 0
Middlesbrough
Championship
-
Middlesbrough
0 : 0
Southampton
Championship
-
Wrexham
2 : 2
Middlesbrough
Championship
-
Middlesbrough
5 : 1
Watford
Championship
-
Middlesbrough
1 : 0
Sheffield Wednesday
Championship
Middlesbrough lineup
Goalkeeper
-
31
Sol Brynn
Defenders
-
12
Luke Ayling
-
29
Adilson Malanda
-
6
Dael Fry
Midfielders
-
2
Callum Brittain
-
8
Riley McGree
-
18
Aidan Morris
-
3
Matt Targett
Forwards
-
11
Morgan Whittaker
-
13
David Strelec
-
9
Tommy Conway
Prediction
Both teams showed good defense in the semifinals. Hull didn't concede any goals, while Middlesbrough allowed one goal. Also, in the previous H2H game between these two teams, we saw only one goal. Both sides will likely be very nervous on Saturday afternoon and likely focus much more on defense. We shouldn't expect more than two goals in the upcoming spectacle.
3 Reasons why we shouldn't expect more than two goals in this match
- Hull didn't concede any goals in the last two matches
- Middlesbrough allowed only one goal in the playoff semifinals
- Two of the previous three H2H games between these two teams have gone under 2.5 goals
Main prediction Hull City - Middlesbrough
Under 2.5 goals
Best Odds:
Melbet
1.80
Hull City vs Middlesbrough standings in Championship
| Regular Season | P | W | D | L |
G - A
|
GD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coventry City | 46 | 28 | 11 | 7 | 97 - 45 | +52 | 95 |
| 2 | Ipswich Town | 46 | 23 | 15 | 8 | 80 - 47 | +33 | 84 |
| 3 | Millwall | 46 | 24 | 11 | 11 | 64 - 49 | +15 | 83 |
| 4 | Southampton | 46 | 22 | 14 | 10 | 82 - 56 | +26 | 80 |
| 5 | Middlesbrough | 46 | 22 | 14 | 10 | 72 - 47 | +25 | 80 |
| 6 | Hull City | 46 | 21 | 10 | 15 | 70 - 66 | +4 | 73 |
| 7 | Wrexham | 46 | 19 | 14 | 13 | 69 - 65 | +4 | 71 |
| 8 | Derby County | 46 | 20 | 9 | 17 | 67 - 59 | +8 | 69 |
| 9 | Norwich City | 46 | 19 | 8 | 19 | 63 - 56 | +7 | 65 |
| 10 | Birmingham City | 46 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 57 - 56 | +1 | 64 |
| 11 | Swansea City | 46 | 18 | 10 | 18 | 57 - 59 | -2 | 64 |
| 12 | Bristol City | 46 | 17 | 11 | 18 | 59 - 59 | 0 | 62 |
| 13 | Sheffield United | 46 | 18 | 6 | 22 | 66 - 66 | 0 | 60 |
| 14 | Preston North End | 46 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 55 - 62 | -7 | 60 |
| 15 | Queens Park Rangers | 46 | 16 | 10 | 20 | 61 - 73 | -12 | 58 |
| 16 | Watford | 46 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 53 - 65 | -12 | 57 |
| 17 | Stoke City | 46 | 15 | 10 | 21 | 51 - 56 | -5 | 55 |
| 18 | Portsmouth | 46 | 14 | 13 | 19 | 49 - 64 | -15 | 55 |
| 19 | Charlton Athletic | 46 | 13 | 14 | 19 | 44 - 58 | -14 | 53 |
| 20 | Blackburn Rovers | 46 | 13 | 13 | 20 | 42 - 56 | -14 | 52 |
| 21 | West Bromwich Albion | 46 | 13 | 14 | 19 | 48 - 58 | -10 | 51 |
| 22 | Oxford United | 46 | 11 | 14 | 21 | 45 - 59 | -14 | 47 |
| 23 | Leicester City | 46 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 58 - 68 | -10 | 46 |
| 24 | Sheffield Wednesday | 46 | 2 | 12 | 32 | 29 - 89 | -60 | 0 |