Stoke City vs Hull City — Match Preview
The Championship action continues this Saturday lunchtime as high-flying Stoke City welcome a faltering Hull City to the bet365 Stadium. The narrative could not be more different for these two sides. The Potters, currently sitting 2nd in the table, are dreaming of a return to the Premier League and come into this game fresh off a commanding 3-0 win over Charlton.
In contrast, the Tigers are sliding. After a bright start, Sergej Jakirović’s men have lost back-to-back games, including a demoralizing 0-2 home defeat to Ipswich. With key injuries piling up and defensive fragilities exposed, Hull face a daunting task against a Stoke side that has turned their home ground into a fortress. Can Mark Robins’ men tighten their grip on the automatic promotion spots, or will Hull spring a surprise to arrest their slide?
Stoke City vs Hull City — Quick Match Info
- Fixture: Stoke City vs Hull City
- Competition: EFL Championship (Matchday 18)
- Venue: Bet365 Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent (Capacity: 30,089)
- Date: Saturday, 29 November 2025
- Kickoff Time: 12:30 GMT / 13:30 CET / 18:00 IST
- Referee: Josh Smith
- TV Channel (UK): Sky Sports Football
- TV Channel (USA): CBS Sports Network
- TV Channel (India): FanCode (Live Stream)
- Live Stream: Sky Go (UK), Paramount+ (USA), FanCode (India)
Stoke City vs Hull City — Match Context (2025/26 Season)
Stoke City:
- Position: 2nd in Championship (30 Points).
- Form: Strong. They have won 3 of their last 5 games, with the 3-0 win vs Charlton showcasing their attacking depth.
- Current Challenge: maintaining consistency. Every time they look like the “real deal,” they suffer a blip (like the recent losses to Leicester and Coventry). A win here cements their credentials.
Hull City:
- Position: 11th in Championship (25 Points).
- Form: Worrying. Back-to-back losses to QPR (2-3) and Ipswich (0-2) have seen them drop out of the playoff places.
- Current Challenge: An injury crisis in attack. Without Oli McBurnie and Liam Millar, they looked toothless against Ipswich.
Stoke City vs Hull City — What’s at Stake
For Stoke City:
- Automatic Promotion: With Coventry City leading the pack, Stoke cannot afford to drop points at home if they want to secure 2nd place.
For Hull City:
- Stopping the Rot: A third consecutive defeat would be disastrous for morale. They need a result to stay in touch with the top 6.
Stoke City vs Hull City — Team Form
Stoke City (Last 5 Matches):
- W vs Charlton (3-0)
- L vs Leicester (1-2)
- L vs Coventry (0-1)
- W vs Oxford Utd (3-0)
- W vs Bristol City (5-1)
Hull City (Last 5 Matches):
- L vs Ipswich (0-2)10
- L vs QPR (2-3)
- W vs Portsmouth (3-2)11
- L vs Derby (1-2)
- W vs Norwich (2-0)12
Stoke City vs Hull City — Team News
Stoke City:
- Lewis Baker: Out (Inactive/Injury – Long-term absentee).
- Ben Wilmot: Questionable (Injury – Picked up a knock vs Charlton). If he misses out, Bosun Lawal or Michael Rose could step into defense.
- Sam Gallagher: Available. Returned to the bench recently and offers a physical option up top.
Hull City:
- Oli McBurnie: Out (Knee Injury – Huge loss for their attack).13
- Liam Millar: Out (Knee Injury – Missing his pace on the wing).
- John Lundstram: Out (Calf Injury).14
- Kasey Palmer: Out (Knee Injury).15
- Eliot Matazo: Questionable (Knee Injury).
- Matt Crooks: Available (Returns from suspension). A massive boost for the midfield.
Stoke City vs Hull City — Head to Head
- 01 Feb 2025: Hull 1–2 Stoke
- 21 Sep 2024: Stoke 1–3 Hull
- 29 Mar 2024: Hull 0–2 Stoke16
- 24 Sep 2023: Stoke 1–3 Hull
- 11 Feb 2023: Stoke 0–0 Hull17
Stoke City vs Hull City — Predicted Lineups
Stoke City (4-2-3-1):
Mark Robins will likely stick to the winning formula from midweek, with Sorba Thomas retaining his place after a brace.
- GK: Viktor Johansson18
- RB: Junior Tchamadeu
- CB: Ashley Phillips19
- CB: Ben Wilmot (or Bosun Lawal if unfit)
- LB: Eric Bocat20
- CDM: Steven N’Zonzi
- CDM: Tatsuki Seko21
- RW: Million Manhoef22
- CAM: Bae Jun-ho23
- LW: Sorba Thomas
- ST: Robert Bozeník
Hull City (4-2-3-1):
Jakirović welcomes back Matt Crooks, who should slot straight into the midfield or #10 role to add physicality.
- GK: Ivor Pandur24
- RB: Lewie Coyle (C)
- CB: Semi Ajayi
- CB: Charlie Hughes25
- LB: Ryan Giles26
- CDM: Regan Slater27
- CDM: Amir Hadžiahmetović
- RW: Joe Gelhardt28
- CAM: Matt Crooks (Returning from suspension)
- LW: Joel Ndala29
- ST: Kyle Joseph30
Stoke City vs Hull City — Impact Bench Options
Stoke City:
- Sam Gallagher: If Stoke need to go long, Gallagher is the perfect target man to bully Hull’s center-backs late on.
- Wouter Burger: Provides control and energy in midfield if N’Zonzi tires.
Hull City:
- Darko Gyabi: Dropping to the bench with Crooks’ return, but offers energy and drive against tired legs.
- Mohamed Belloumi: A tricky winger who can create something out of nothing if Hull are chasing a goal.
Stoke City vs Hull City — Tactical Outlook
Stoke City:
- Playing Style: High-Octane Attack. At home, Stoke look to overload the wings. Million Manhoef and Sorba Thomas are direct runners who will target Hull’s full-backs. With Bae Jun-ho pulling strings in the #10 role, they create chances through rapid combinations.
- Weakness: Central Defense. If Wilmot is out, the partnership of Phillips and Lawal lacks experience together.
Hull City:
- Playing Style: Possession with Purpose (usually). Without McBurnie, they lack a focal point. They will rely on Ryan Giles providing crosses from the left, but they need Kyle Joseph to be clinical.
- Strength: Midfield Return. Matt Crooks returning gives them a physical presence in the box they sorely missed against Ipswich.
Stoke City vs Hull City — Key Battles
| Matchup | Battle Type | Edge |
| Sorba Thomas vs. Ryan Giles | Speed vs. Speed: Thomas is in red-hot form (2 goals last game). Giles loves to attack but leaves space behind. Thomas will feast on that space. | Stoke |
| Steven N’Zonzi vs. Matt Crooks | Titan Clash: Two giants of the Championship. Whoever wins the physical battle in the center circle controls the game. | Tie |
| Robert Bozeník vs. Semi Ajayi | Movement vs. Power: Bozeník runs the channels well. Ajayi is strong but can be turned. | Stoke |
Stoke City vs Hull City — Spotlight Players
Bae Jun-ho (Stoke City):
The South Korean playmaker is the “King of the Potteries” right now. His vision and ability to drift into pockets of space make him a nightmare to mark. Against a Hull midfield missing Lundstram, he should thrive.
Matt Crooks (Hull City):
Returning from suspension, Crooks has a point to prove. Hull looked soft without him. He needs to crash the box and provide the goal threat that the injured McBurnie usually offers.
Stoke City vs Hull City — Fan Reactions
Stoke Fans:
“Sorba Thomas is finally showing his Huddersfield form! If we win this, the automatic spots are ours to lose.”
“Hull are struggling, let’s not give them any confidence. Early goal and kill the game.”
Hull Fans:
“No McBurnie, no Millar… where are the goals coming from?”
“Thank god Crooks is back. We need some fight in the middle of the park.”
Stoke City vs Hull City — Match-Defining Factors
- Stoke’s Home Form: The bet365 Stadium is loud again. Stoke have scored 8 goals in their last 2 home league wins (5 vs Bristol, 3 vs Charlton).
- Hull’s Defensive Leaks: Conceding 3 to QPR and 2 to Ipswich shows a defense lacking confidence. Stoke’s attack is statistically one of the best in the league at home.
- The Wilmot Factor: If Ben Wilmot misses out, Stoke’s defense becomes significantly younger and more prone to error.
Stoke City vs Hull City — Prediction
Score Prediction: Stoke City 2–1 Hull City
Betting Insights:
- Outcome: Stoke City to Win.
- Both Teams to Score: YES (Stoke’s defense has a mistake in it; Hull have Crooks back).
- Anytime Goalscorer: Sorba Thomas (Riding a wave of confidence).
Analysis: Momentum is everything in the Championship. Stoke are surging and scoring freely at home, while Hull are patched up and leaking goals. While the return of Crooks makes Hull competitive, Stoke’s attacking trio of Manhoef, Bae, and Thomas should simply have too much quality for a Tigers defense low on confidence.
Stoke City vs Hull City — Final Word
Stoke City have a golden opportunity to cement their place in the top two. Hull City are fighting against the tide of injuries and poor form. Expect a spirited effort from the visitors, but the Potters’ firepower at the bet365 Stadium should see them claim a vital three points in their promotion charge.
Stoke City vs Hull City — FAQs
When is the Stoke vs Hull match?
The match kicks off on Saturday, 29 November 2025, at 12:30 GMT (18:00 IST).31
Is Oli McBurnie playing?
No, Oli McBurnie is ruled out with a knee injury.
Is Matt Crooks available?
Yes, Matt Crooks returns from suspension and is expected to play a key role.
Where can I watch the match in India?
You can stream the match live on FanCode.
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