Hull vs Middlesbrough Prediction: Championship play-off final expected to be tense

Here we are then. After the most dramatic build-up to a Championship play-off final in history, we now know that Hull City will face Middlesbrough, rather than Southampton at Wembley (3.30pm, Sky Sports Main Event).

I’ll leave the childish spying puns to one side for this preview, but this story and therefore this final has now caught the attention of the entire country - and not just the EFL purists like myself. Below you can find my Hull vs Middlesbrough predictions.

Team News

Hull manager Sergej Jakirovic is surely likely to implement the same back five that produced a superb performance away at the Den in the second leg of their semi-final. Charlie Hughes, John Egan and Semi Ajayi started as the back three and I’d expect an unchanged defence and midfield.

Oli McBurnie will lead the line once again, while the big decision has to be made in the roles supporting him. Liam Millar should occupy one of the roles, but Kyle Joseph is out, so will Jakirovic go for match winner Mohamed Belloumi or the industrious Joe Gelhardt. Leaving Belloumi as a weapon to bring off the bench against tiring legs, just as he did against Millwall, might be the brave play that wins them this final. 

Kim Hellberg confirmed that Hayden Hackney was fit to be involved on Saturday for Boro after over two months out. "We'll have to see what happens today and tomorrow and what happens from that. Hayden is fit, absolutely."

Starting the game would be a huge ask given his lack of match fitness, but expect him to feature as a substitute. Tommy Conway is out of this final with an ankle injury meaning Boro are short up top, with David Strelec the only fit striker.

Football Odds

Hull vs Middlesbrough Odds

Middlesbrough are the 9/10 favourites to win this game in 90 minutes, while they have been priced up at just 2/5 to secure promotion to the Premier League by any method. Hull are 10/3 for the win, while a draw is 5/2.

Over 2.5 goals is 11/10, BTTS is 10/11 and Morgan Whittaker is 9/2 to open the scoring. 

Today's Football Fixtures

Draw @ 5/2

I don’t want to write Hull City off as easily this time, I’ve well and truly learnt my lesson. Instead I’m going to back another long afternoon on Saturday and extra-time, and I think it provides good value at 5/2.

The weather will play a big part. Temperatures could reach 30C plus in the capital and that is likely to slow the pace of the game down. Given Hull have been so hard to break down and so well organised, I cannot see them getting blown away, while Middlesbrough lost all attacking thrust in the semi-final due to their lack of depth. 

With Hayden Hackney coming off the bench, they have a little more to offer, but it may take extra-time and penalties to separate these two after a tense week of build up.

Bet Builder - Oli McBurnie and Morgan Whittaker 1+ shot on target each @ 23/20

Sometimes these Championship play-off finals can be a bit of a tense watch. Boro are likely to start the game on the front foot whereas Hull will look to strike on the counter, so I’ve put together a double, using the Bet Builder function on Betfred.

McBurnie should play the full 90 and has been Hull’s biggest threat this season with 17 goals, but I just need him to have one shot on target in normal time. He’s averaged 1.17 per 90 this term and should be the focal point of every Hull attack.

Meanwhile, Whittaker has only averaged 1.05 shots on target every 90, but he has looked far more threatening in recent months. He should be able to run at this Hull defence and is also likely to land a shot on target in my eyes. 

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