Ipswich Town vs Hull City Prediction, Odds, Best Bets - Premier League

Hull City have not lost at home all season, and Ipswich Town have not stopped conceding on the road. Saturday at the MKM asks whether Hull's patience finally turns a draw into a win, or whether Ipswich's away goals keep another afternoon chaotic.

The Matchup

Tenth hosts twelfth at the MKM Stadium on Saturday, with Hull City and Ipswich Town level on 10 points and separated only by goal difference. Hull's season at home has been stubborn rather than spectacular.

They have won one and drawn three of their four matches in front of their own crowd, conceding only 3 goals, and they beat Manchester United 2-0 here in August before draws with Aston Villa, Everton and Brentford. The back five that started against Brentford last Sunday, with Semi Ajayi in the middle of it, protects the box first and asks questions later.

Ipswich travel as the opposite kind of guest. They have lost three of their four away matches and conceded 11 goals on the road, shipping five at Manchester United in August and three at Manchester City on October 17. But they are never dull, and they are rarely out of a game.

They won 3-2 at Crystal Palace in September, scored twice at Old Trafford and twice at the Etihad, and their only away blank came in a 1-0 defeat at Everton. A side that leaky and that lively makes every trip a negotiation between its attack and its defence.

Neither club has named its side yet. The expectation is Hull in the same 5-4-1 that drew with Brentford, with Mohamed Belloumi and Oliver McBurnie expected to start again after both started that match. McBurnie scored Hull's goal in the 1-1 draw, a penalty in the 24th minute, and Belloumi remains their sharpest outlet, with 3 goals and 2 assists this season.

For Ipswich, the expectation is the 4-2-3-1 that drew with Nottingham Forest last Friday, with Julio Enciso and Emersonn expected to start again. Enciso has 1 goal and 2 assists, Emersonn has 2 goals, and Leif Davis, who also has 2 goals, is expected to continue at left back. Neither club has a starter ruled out in the latest team news, and neither expected side rests on a doubt.

Key Factors

The case for Hull starts with where Ipswich's games break down. Ipswich have conceded at least two goals in three of their four away matches, and the goals tend to come in bunches once their press is played through. Hull are not built to swarm anybody, but they do not need to be.

Belloumi carries the ball out, McBurnie occupies both centre backs, and a home crowd that has watched its side refuse to lose all season will accept a patient afternoon. Hull have also scored in three of their four home matches, the blank coming against Aston Villa, so the hosts usually find one moment even on their quiet days.

The counterpoint is Hull's own habit, and it is the reason this pick takes the draw out of play rather than asking Hull to win outright. Hull have drawn four of their eight matches, three of them at home, and they are winless in five, a run of three draws and two defeats since the win at Coventry City in August.

Ipswich are exactly the visitors to punish a side that settles, because Enciso and Emersonn give them a threat on the break that Hull's back five will have to respect all afternoon. If Ipswich score first, Hull's patience becomes a problem, and the hosts have not shown they can chase a game at home. Level on points, with Hull six days removed from the Brentford draw and Ipswich eight days removed from the Forest draw, neither side can claim the schedule as an excuse.

Every pick is published with its line before the game. Odds via consensus sportsbooks at time of writing and move constantly. Must be 21+. If gambling is a problem, call or text 1-800-GAMBLER.