Preston vs Hull City Predictions

Preston vs Hull City Predictions for this Championship fixture. Preston host Hull at Deepdale on Boxing Day in a crucial Championship clash, with both teams battling to improve positions near the bottom of the table. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.

Championship | Dec 26, 2024 at 3pm UK at Deepdale

Preston vs Hull City Predictions

Can Preston North End Find Their Boxing Day Breakthrough Against Hull City?

• Home Advantage Crucial: Preston have drawn six of their 11 home games this season, but their record at Deepdale remains stronger than Hull’s woeful away form.
• Hull’s Away-Day Blues: The Tigers have lost their last four away matches, conceding critical goals late in games.
• Osmajic’s Impact: Milutin Osmajic has four goals this season, proving to be a consistent attacking threat for Preston.

Our Tips

The atmosphere at Deepdale is set to be electric this Boxing Day as Preston North End face Hull City in what could prove to be a defining clash at the lower end of the Championship table. Both sides find themselves in precarious positions, with Preston currently sitting 18th and Hull just outside the relegation zone after a vital win last weekend. For the hosts, the season has been a rollercoaster of mixed results, including an unbeaten run earlier in December, only for late-game heartbreaks to punctuate their efforts of late.

Hull City, on the other hand, arrive with cautious optimism after a difficult start to the campaign. Under the recently appointed Ruben Selles, the Tigers have shown flashes of resilience, exemplified by their long-awaited victory against Swansea. Despite their struggles on the road, the visitors will be eager to capitalise on Preston’s recent defensive vulnerabilities. For both sides, this game offers an opportunity to claw further away from the bottom three and inject some much-needed momentum into their respective seasons.

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Best Bet: Preston North End to Win

Given the current form of both teams, a Preston North End victory appears the most likely outcome. While their recent results have been a mixed bag, the Lilywhites have displayed a stronger presence at home, and Hull’s abysmal away record does little to inspire confidence in the visitors.

Preston’s reliance on Milutin Osmajic in attack will likely play a pivotal role. With four goals to his name this season, Osmajic offers a consistent threat in the final third. His ability to capitalise on defensive lapses will be crucial against a Hull side that has struggled to keep things tight on their travels, conceding far too many late goals. Additionally, the absence of Hull’s suspended Oscar Zambrano and several injuries further weakens their squad depth, making the task of containing Preston’s attacking line even more challenging.

Defensively, Preston will have to reshuffle their backline with Liam Lindsay suspended. Yet the inclusion of Patrick Bauer, alongside Jack Whatmough and Jordan Storey, provides experience and physicality, which should be sufficient to cope with Hull’s attack led by Joao Pedro. While Pedro has also netted four goals this term, Hull’s reliance on him and the inconsistency of their supporting cast might render their efforts ineffective, especially against a home side determined to rebound after recent frustrations.

Freddie Woodman in goal will be another key figure for Preston. Despite a few lapses in recent games, his shot-stopping ability has often been a decisive factor in keeping games within reach. In midfield, Ben Whiteman’s potential return adds a layer of control and creativity, bolstering Preston’s chances of dominating possession.

BettingTips4You.com expert Graham Hartshorn says:
“Preston’s home form and Hull’s inability to perform away from the MKM Stadium make the hosts the favourites here. If they can avoid the defensive errors that have haunted them recently, they have the tools to secure three points.”

Hull’s struggles on the road, highlighted by four consecutive away defeats, combined with their ongoing transition under Selles, further stack the odds in Preston’s favour. With Deepdale offering a familiar stage, the Lilywhites should have just enough to edge this contest.

Correct Score Prediction: Preston North End 2-1 Hull City

A 2-1 scoreline in favour of Preston North End reflects the likely dynamics of this match. Hull City are expected to battle valiantly, buoyed by their recent win, but their defensive frailties and poor away form remain significant obstacles. Preston, while not prolific scorers, have shown enough creativity and grit to exploit these weaknesses, particularly through Osmajic and their midfield interplay.

Hull’s Joao Pedro might find the net, especially given Preston’s recent struggles in seeing out matches. However, the visitors’ inability to sustain pressure and maintain defensive composure could ultimately cost them. Preston, motivated by the need to recover from back-to-back late-game disappointments, are likely to find the decisive goals that secure the win.

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