Hull vs. Preston Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips - bettingexpert
As Hull City prepares to host Preston North End at The MKM Stadium on 21 April 2025, both teams find themselves in the bottom half of the Championship standings, needing every point in the final stretch of the season.
Hull, currently 20th with 45 points, is desperately battling to avoid relegation, and securing a win here would significantly boost their survival chances. Meanwhile, Preston sits at 17th with 49 points, looking to cement their status and edge further away from the danger zone.
With Hull having scored only twice in their last five matches and Preston struggling similarly, the game is expected to be a tight, low-scoring affair. The recommended bet is for Under 2.5 Goals, reflecting both teams’ recent form and previous encounters, which have often been low-scoring.
Injuries plague Hull’s midfield and wings, while Preston’s backline has been shaky, conceding 1.2 goals per game on average. This makes for an intriguing, if less glamorous, contest as both sides scramble for crucial Championship points.
Hull vs Preston Prediction & Betting Tip
- The recommended betting tip for this match is Under 2.5 Goals. This tip has been chosen because both teams have struggled to find the back of the net recently, and their head-to-head encounters often result in low-scoring games.
| Hull vs Preston Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting tip | Odds |
| Under 2.5 Goals | 1.88 |
- Hull has scored only 2 goals in their last 5 matches, highlighting their offensive struggles.
- Preston’s modest scoring ability, with 5 goals in their last 5 games, suggests they aren’t scoring freely either.
- Historical encounters between these teams frequently end with few goals, supporting the expectation of a low-scoring match.
Hull vs Preston Odds
Here’s a look at the betting odds for the upcoming Championship match between Hull City and Preston North End:
| Hull vs Preston Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| Hull City | 1.88 |
| Draw | 3.30 |
| Preston North End | 4.22 |
Hull City is the bookmaker’s favorite, likely due to being the home team and their slight points advantage in the ongoing battle to avoid relegation. The draw odds reflect the closely matched nature of their recent head-to-head encounters. Consider the form and injuries of both teams when placing your bets.
Hull Team Analysis
Hull Recent Performance
Hull City has had a mixed bag of results in their last five outings:
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swansea | Hull | 2025-04-18 | Championship | 1-0 (Loss) |
| Hull | Coventry | 2025-04-14 | Championship | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Watford | Hull | 2025-04-08 | Championship | 1-0 (Loss) |
| Sheffield Wednesday | Hull | 2025-04-05 | Championship | 0-1 (Win) |
| Hull | Luton | 2025-03-29 | Championship | 0-1 (Loss) |
Recent Form: LDLWL
Facing tough competition, Hull City managed just one win in their last five matches, suffering three losses and securing one draw. Scoring has been a key issue, with the team netting only two goals in five games, which translates to an average of 0.40 goals per game. Despite these challenges, Hull boasts one clean sheet in this stretch. Their struggle for points underscores their current battle to avoid relegation as they sit in 20th place.
Hull Key Players
Hull City’s squad has several players to watch, especially in their battle against relegation. João Pedro, the team’s top scorer with six goals, will be crucial in attack. His ability to find the net could be a difference-maker. Their midfield, despite injuries, has some dynamism with Gustavo Puerta and Joe Gelhardt looking to provide creativity and control.
Key individual battles could involve João Pedro against Preston’s central defenders, such as Liam Lindsay and Jordan Storey, which will be pivotal in determining the match outcome.
Expected lineup for Hull:
- Goalkeeper: Ivor Pandur
- Defenders: Lewie Coyle, John Egan, Charlie Hughes, Sean McLoughlin
- Midfielders: Regan Slater, Gustavo Puerta, Kasey Palmer, Joe Gelhardt, Lincoln
- Attacker: João Pedro Galvão
Hull Suspensions & Injuries
Hull City is facing numerous challenges with their squad due to injuries and suspensions. These absences could significantly affect their performance, especially in the fight to avoid relegation.
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Harvey Cartwright | Hand injury | Early May 2025 |
| Liam Millar | Cruciate ligament injury | Early July 2025 |
| Mohamed Belloumi | Cruciate ligament injury | Mid July 2025 |
| Dogukan Sinik | Leg injury | Early May 2025 |
| Louie Barry | Knee injury | Early May 2025 |
| Eliot Matazo | Cruciate ligament injury | Early November 2025 |
| Player | Suspension | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Matt Crooks | Yellow/red card | 1 match left |
Ruben Selles will need to manage his squad carefully, especially with key players like Joao Pedro needing to step up. The midfield and defensive areas might lack depth due to these injuries, putting extra pressure on fit players to maintain their performance.
Hull Tactics and Formation
Hull Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: João Pedro Galvão
- Midfield Trio: Regan Slater, Gustavo Puerta, Joe Gelhardt
- Defensive Strength: One clean sheet in the last five games.
- Notable Strategy: Hull has been focusing on maintaining possession, but with key injuries affecting their midfield and wings, they’ve struggled to convert chances.
João Pedro is essential for Hull’s attack and often leads the line with support from Lincoln and Kasey Palmer on the flanks. Slater and Puerta provide protection in front of the back four, ensuring stability. However, with injuries depleting their squad, depth and creativity, especially from the wings, have become significant concerns for Ruben Selles. This formation aims to be compact and defensively sound but may lack the punch needed in attack.
Preston Team Analysis
Preston Recent Performance
Preston North End have had a tough run recently. Their form over the last five matches shows no wins, indicating struggles both home and away. Here’s a quick look at their recent results:
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preston | Queens Park Rangers | 2025-04-18 | Championship | 1-2 (Loss) |
| Leeds | Preston | 2025-04-12 | Championship | 2-1 (Loss) |
| Preston | Cardiff | 2025-04-08 | Championship | 2-2 (Draw) |
| Preston | Stoke | 2025-04-05 | Championship | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Derby | Preston | 2025-04-02 | Championship | 2-0 (Loss) |
Recent Form: LDLLD
They’ve scored 5 goals in their last 5 matches, averaging 1.00 goal per game but have conceded more frequently, failing to keep any clean sheets. They’ve managed only two draws amidst three losses, reflecting their challenging period.
Preston Key Players
Preston’s charge is led by Emil Riis Jakobsen, their top scorer with 10 goals this season. His partnership up front with Milutin Osmajic will be crucial for Preston’s attacking ambitions. Midfield dynamo Ben Whiteman, known for his playmaking abilities, will be pivotal in controlling the tempo of the game and creating opportunities.
Expected lineup for Preston:
- Goalkeeper: David Cornell
- Defenders: Jordan Storey, Liam Lindsay, Andrew Hughes
- Midfielders: Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Stefan Thordarson, Ben Whiteman, Robert Brady, Sam Greenwood
- Attackers: Milutin Osmajic, Mads Frøkjær-Jensen
Look out for key battles, particularly Riis Jakobsen against Hull’s central defenders, John Egan and Charlie Hughes.
Preston Suspensions & Injuries
Preston North End are grappling with several injuries that could impact their performance against Hull City. The absence of key players, especially in defense and midfield, will be a significant challenge for manager Paul Heckingbottom.
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Jack Whatmough | Calf injury | Early May 2025 |
| Alistair McCann | Leg injury | Early May 2025 |
| Brad Potts | Hamstring injury | Early May 2025 |
| Freddie Woodman | Ankle injury | Out for season |
| Ryan Ledson | Muscle injury | Early May 2025 |
The season-ending injury to Freddie Woodman, their first-choice goalkeeper, is particularly troubling. David Cornell, the replacement, will need to step up to fill the void. Additionally, the midfield will miss the dynamic capabilities of Alistair McCann and Brad Potts, who are both out through injury until early May. This weakened side could face a tough challenge at The MKM Stadium.
Preston Tactics and Formation
Preston North End’s Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 3-5-2
- Key Forwards: Milutin Osmajic, Mads Frøkjær-Jensen
- Midfield Dynamics: Ben Whiteman centrally orchestrates with support from Kaine Kesler-Hayden and Robert Brady.
- Defensive Setup: A back three featuring Jordan Storey, Liam Lindsay, and Andrew Hughes.
- Current Challenges: Defensive gaps due to injuries, especially in key positions, may impact solidity.
Paul Heckingbottom’s strategy focuses on exploiting wide areas, with Kesler-Hayden and Brady providing width. The central trio in midfield stabilizes play, while the front two aim to capitalize on aerial balls. However, recent form and defensive issues could be hurdles against Hull City.
Hull vs Preston Head-to-Head Statistics
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preston North End | Hull City | 26-12-2024 | Championship | 1-0 (Loss) |
| Preston North End | Hull City | 02-03-2024 | Championship | 0-0 (Draw) |
| Hull City | Preston North End | 28-10-2023 | Championship | 1-0 (Win) |
| Hull City | Preston North End | 18-02-2023 | Championship | 0-0 (Draw) |
| Preston North End | Hull City | 06-08-2022 | Championship | 0-0 (Draw) |
In their last five encounters, Hull City and Preston North End have produced a mixed bag of results. Hull has won once and drawn three times, while Preston has managed a single win.
Low scorelines are a common theme, reflecting their defensive tendencies. Expect another tightly contested match.
Odds accurate as of 19.04.2025 15:03, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.
