Hull City look to cause a cupset as they entertain Chelsea in the opening fourth-round tie of the 2025-26 FA Cup.
Victory would see Hull reach the fifth round for the first time since 2017-18 season, whilst Chelsea are seeking to avoid suffering consecutive fourth-round exits for the first time since a four-season run between 1984-85 to 87-88 seasons.
Team News
Tobias Collyer is a doubt for Hull after he suffered a hamstring injury in training this week.
Charlie Hughes has been playing through a groin injury in recent weeks, but the defender is likely to be rested and left out of the matchday squad with one eye on the Tigers’ promotion push in the Championship.
Cody Drameh (hip) could return but Semi Ajayi, Matt Crooks (both hamstring), Darko Gyabi (groin) and Elliot Matazo (knee) remain absent.
Chelsea will be without left-back, Marc Cucurella after he suffered an unspecified injury during their 2-2 Premier League draw at home to Leeds on Tuesday evening.
Reece James (fitness/illness) could return but Dario Essugo (unspecified), Tosin Adarabioyo, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (both hamstring), Romeo Lavia (quad), Levi Colwill (ACL) and Mykhailo Mudryk (suspension) are still sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Hull host Chelsea at MKM Stadium on Friday 13 February at 7:45pm GMT, live on BBC One and TNT Sports 1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Hull have failed to score any of their eight previous FA Cup ties against Chelsea (L8), albeit across 11 overall meetings after three ties needed replays (D3, L8).
- Chelsea are yet to lose away to Hull in the FA Cup (W5, D1).
- Hull lost two of their last four FA Cup ties at home to Chelsea by 2-0 results, which came in January 1982 & 92 respectively.
- Hull have won just one of their last four FA Cup ties at home to top-flight opposition (W1, L3).
- Chelsea have failed to lose any of their last 16 away FA Cup matches against EFL opposition (W14, D2), since a 1-0 Quarter-Final defeat at Barnsley in March 2008 in that season’s edition.
Prediction
Currently sat five points off the second automatic promotion spot in the Championship, Hull’s priority pretty much lies in the league but I do expect them to bring some fight for the home crowd as this is a chance to test themselves against top opposition and learn about themselves more.
Hull manager, Sergej Jakirovic though will be expecting a better defensive display than they produced in their 3-2 loss against Bristol City, having opened the scoring before they conceded three goals to cost themselves a point despite a late rally in performance.
Chelsea meanwhile are favourites and with a strong record on Humberside in this competition, they really should cruise this game if they can be as clinical as they were against Leeds but without conceding two sloppy goals to settle for a draw from the jaws of victory.
I therefore expect this to be a game where Chelsea should dominate but Hull are capable of causing them issues, although I just can’t see the Tigers causing a cupset.
Prediction: Hull 1-2 Chelsea
Result: Hull 0-4 Chelsea
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