Middlesbrough vs Hull prediction 29.12.2025 | Championship

Over the past seven seasons, Middlesbrough have reached the promotion playoffs only once, spending most of that period as a mid-table Championship side. However, the current campaign could be their strongest since relegation from the Premier League in 2017, with Boro sitting second in the table at the halfway stage of the season. Kim Hellberg's team played well recently with only one defeat in the last five matches. In the previous game, they played 0-0 at home against Blackburn. The hosts lacked creativity in that match and will have to do much better on Monday against a stronger team like Hull.

Middlesbrough's head coach, Kim Hellberg, was disappointed with his team's performance against Blackburn. After the game, he commented, "We didn't deserve more than a draw today, and so, I'm disappointed with the performance. The result we have to live with because I don't think we did enough. We move on and try to improve."

Middlesbrough's Alfie Jones, Matt Targett, and George Edmundson suffered injuries in the previous league round and are uncertain for the upcoming tie against Hull. If the trio can't play, they will join already unavailable Darragh Lenihan, Abdoulaye Kante, and Riley McGree.

The 2025/26 season could be excellent for Hull, too. They are in the playoff zone and with five points fewer than Middlesbrough, the upcoming tie at Riverside Stadium could be a fantastic opportunity to come close to direct promotion spots. Hull are without a defeat in their last four matches in a row. The worst game in the span was the most recent, as the Tigers played only 2-2 on the road against the worst team in the competition, Sheffield Wednesday. The teams were pretty even throughout the game, so splitting points was probably the fairest outcome.

Hull's manager, Sergej Jakirovic, didn't hide his disappointment after only a draw against Sheffield Wednesday. He said, "I'm very disappointed. We can't change anything; we did everything in preparation. Psychologically, I knew it would be difficult because everyone was counting on three points."

Hull's right winger, Mohamed Belloumi, suffered a hamstring injury on Boxing Day, and it is unlikely he will play in the upcoming tie in Middlesbrough. Jakirovic's team will also be without Semi Ajayi, Joe Gelhardt, Eliot Matazo, and Brandon Williams, while John Lundstram is questionable.