Fulham vs Hull City Preview: Can Bottom-of-the-Table Fulham Trouble Hull?

Two seasons pointing in different directions

Fulham are anchored to the foot of the Premier League table with two points from six matches, while Hull City sit eighth on nine. On paper this is the classic favourite-versus-underdog fixture, and Saturday’s meeting at Craven Cottage gives Marco Silva’s side a chance to spoil a steadier start from the visitors. Fulham’s goal difference of minus four compares with Hull’s plus two, a gap that reflects the difference in rhythm between the two clubs so far.

Form: Fulham’s wobble, Hull’s quiet consistency

Fulham’s league run reads LDDLL, and they have yet to win at home this season, collecting one draw and two defeats from three. They have scored six goals in six games but conceded ten, and have kept just one clean sheet. Hull arrive with a more balanced record: two wins, three draws and one defeat, and their most recent result was a 1-0 win…

Let me correct that: the data does not give a scoreline for Hull’s latest match, so I will not state one. Hull’s recent sequence reads DLDDW, and they have kept three clean sheets, two of them at home, while scoring eight goals.

Head-to-head: Fulham’s recent edge

Fulham have the upper hand in recent meetings, winning four of the last five. Hull’s only success in that run came in November 2019, when they won 3-0 at Craven Cottage. Since then, Fulham have won 2-0 in a Championship fixture, 1-0 in a Championship game at the MKM?

Correcting again for accuracy: Fulham’s results were a 2-0 FA Cup victory away at Hull in January 2023, a 1-0 Championship win at Hull in February 2022, a 2-0 Championship win at home in August 2021, and a 1-0 Championship win away at Hull in January 2020.

Team news: Hull’s injury list

Hull will be without a heavy list of players. Ibrahim Ansah, Jordan Butland, Dan Gyabi, Callum Hughes, Eric Matazo and Matt Targett will all miss the trip. Mohamed Cho and Lamine Gourna-Douath are doubts through muscle and calf problems. Fulham are also cautious with Tom Cairney (knee) and Antonee Robinson (ankle), both listed as questionable.

Our prediction

Fulham 1-2 Hull City

Hull’s depth looks better on paper, and their away record of two wins and three draws reflects a side that can grind out results. Fulham have the home crowd and a recent habit of winning this fixture, so expect a tight contest. Hull should edge it, but Fulham can make it difficult.