Both Coventry and Hull are set to battle it out in another season in the Championship when they meet each other on the opening weekend at the Coventry Building Society Arena at Saturday lunchtime. Both teams finished at opposite ends of the table in the 2024/25 campaign.
Indeed, Coventry finished in fifth place, but missed out on promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs. Meanwhile, Hull narrowly avoided relegation down to League One, after finishing a mere one place above the dreaded drop zone in 21st.
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Coventry vs Hull prediction: Sky Blues to secure three points?
Key stats
- Coventry are unbeaten in three pre-season friendlies prior to this clash.
- Hull have only managed to score a mere six goals across their five pre-season friendlies.
- Coventry have only lost one of the previous four H2Hs in all competitions.
Correct score prediction: Coventry 2-1 Hull
Given they have home advantage and finished in a much superior position in the league table last season, we are backing Coventry to open the new 2025/26 campaign with all three points. Given that the past five meetings have seen both teams score though, we are also expecting Hull to get themselves on the scoresheet.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Coventry called as favourites by bookmakers
- HOME: 3/4 (1.75) – 57.1%
- DRAW: 13/5 (3.60) – 27.8%
- AWAY: 18/5 (4.60) – 21.7%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Coventry have been installed as odds-on favourites with bookmakers to claim all three points on their own turf. A draw is rated at just under 28%, and a Hull away victory at just under 22%, according to the implied probabilities.
Check out our betting tips today page for more Europa League predictions this week.
Most recent H2Hs: Evenly matched?
The last five H2Hs have seen Hull win twice, two draws and one victory for Coventry. That was in the last outing though, as they won 2-1 at home in the Championship in December.
England Championship 14/04/25
Hull
Coventry
England Championship 12/04/25
Hull
Coventry
England Championship 14/12/24
Coventry
Hull
Italy Super Cup 09/08/24
Coventry
Hull
England Championship 24/04/24
Coventry
Hull
Coventry preview: Injury doubts for Sky Blues
Key player Jack Rudoni, who has reportedly been the subject of interest for a number of clubs in the summer transfer window, will be hoping to shake off a slight calf issue in order to be used from the start here. Midfielder Jack Eccles is another player that Coventry will be hoping can recover from a minor injury to start.
Predicted lineup: Rushworth (GK), Van Ewijk, Thomas, Binks, Brau, Eccles, Sheaf, Sakamoto, Rudoni, Mason-Clark & Wright
England Championship 13/05/25
W
Sunderland
0
Coventry
1
England Championship 09/05/25
L
Sunderland
2
Coventry
1
England Championship 03/05/25
W
Middlesbrough
0
Coventry
2
England Championship 26/04/25
L
Luton
1
Coventry
0
England Championship 21/04/25
L
Plymouth
3
Coventry
1
Hull preview: New man McBurnie should start
Hull could give a full debut to new signing Oli McBurnie, although another new arrival in Enis Destan is likely to miss out with a ligament injury. Eliot Matazo will also miss the start of the new season with a cruciate ligament injury.
Predicted lineup: Phillips (GK), Coyle, Ajayi, Famewo, Greaves, Slater, Puerta, Laalaoui, Henia-Kamau Twine & McBurnie
England Championship 03/05/25
D
Portsmouth
1
Hull
1
England Championship 26/04/25
L
Derby
1
Hull
0
England Championship 21/04/25
W
Preston
1
Hull
2
England Championship 18/04/25
L
Swansea
1
Hull
0
England Championship 14/04/25
D
Coventry
1
Hull
1
Player to watch: Jack Rudoni
Jack Rudoni has been linked with a move away from Coventry before the transfer deadline, but as of now he remains a Sky Blues player. The midfielder is carrying a slight calf problem, but we are backing him to start against Hull at Saturday lunchtime as he is such a key player for the hosts on his day.