Hull vs Derby Prediction: 24.02.2026 EFL Championship 2025/26

On the chilly evening of 24 February 2026, Hull City welcome Derby County to the MKM Stadium for an EFL Championship regular season fixture steeped with implications for the playoff race. Hull are looking to rediscover their early-season momentum after a string of challenging results, while Derby, riding the waves of John Eustace’s tactical tweaks, have hopes of closing the gap with the league’s upper echelon. With both sides neck-and-neck in the table and a recent head-to-head that favours close encounters, this battle promises more than mere mid-table wrangling.

All eyes will be on dynamic Derby forward Rhian Brewster, recently prolific with three goals in his last four, while Hull’s creative force Joe Gelhardt, combining industry with a keen eye for goal, will look to unlock a Derby defence that’s vastly improved in recent weeks.

A standout stat? Derby, despite fluctuating form, have netted double the goals of Hull (8 vs 4) in their last five competitive outings—a sign of their attacking intent and ability to seize momentum in key moments.

🏅Best bets for Hull vs Derby at WinSpirit with a Welcome bonus 100% up to 100$ and 25% Freebet💰

Hull vs Derby prediction

Backed by home support but hampered by recent defensive struggles, Hull City come into this match in search of a reset. Their 4-2-3-1 structure offers balance, but with just four goals in their last five matches and a worrying trend of leaking at the back (conceding eight across their last three), questions linger over their resilience. Still, they maintain an edge in possession, averaging nearly 400 completed passes per game and a pass accuracy around 75%, underpinning a style based on ball retention and patient buildup.

Derby, meanwhile, have rebounded from a sluggish mid-season patch and arrive fresher, winning two in their last five and scoring at twice the rate of Hull in recent games. John Eustace’s side have shown directness in transition and flexibility in midfield, complemented by Brewster’s poacher instincts. Notably, Derby’s discipline has improved, picking up only six yellows in their last five compared to Hull’s eleven, an indicator that could prove decisive in a tightly contested tie.

Given the momentum and recent attacking proficiency of Derby, yet considering Hull’s possession-based approach and home field factors, the most value lies in siding with Derby on a Draw No Bet basis. The visitors have vulnerabilities – especially on set plays – but their efficient finishing and solid away form tip the balance.

Team Analysis

Hull City: Hull’s recent run reads like a rollercoaster—three straight defeats capped by a 1-3 home loss to QPR, following a dispiriting 0-4 thumping by Chelsea in the cup. They managed a gritty 1-0 win over Blackburn prior, but problems remain in both boxes: scoring only four times in their past five and conceding far too many from open play. The side’s 4-2-3-1 continues to rely on Gelhardt as the creative hub, with Lewie Coyle and John Egan forming the backbone at the rear. Passing sequences have style, but the absence of a clinical edge in attack and defensive lapses threaten to unravel their season ambitions.

Derby County: Derby’s fortunes have been slowly turning. Their last five feature a resounding 5-0 demolition of Bristol City, a 2-0 win over Swansea, but also a stubborn 0-2 defeat to Watford. While inconsistencies persist, Rhian Brewster and Patrick Agyemang have provided the spark up front, combining for five goals in four matches. Creativity from Joe Ward in midfield—one goal, one assist—has allowed Derby to transition swiftly, exploiting space behind opposition lines. Discipline and compactness remain weapons, with fewer fouls and cards than their hosts, but the defence can still look brittle under sustained pressure.

Most recent Head-to-Head Matches

🚨Read our full Hull vs Derby stats for more analysis.

Pre-game odds and win probability: Hull the favourite

• Moneyline Hull 2.40 | Derby 3.00
• Draw 3.22
• Over/Under Over 2.5 2.02 | Under 2.5 1.75
• BTTS (both teams to score) Yes 1.84 | No 1.89

Bookmakers install Hull as marginal favourites, likely a reflection of home advantage and a solid first half of the campaign. Yet, Derby’s away threat and better recent attack should not be underestimated. With both teams struggling for consistency and reliability in defence, the conservative value sits with Derby Draw No Bet or unders options on total goals. For the punter weighing up risk, the split in odds fairly represents the unpredictable nature of Championship football, especially at this knife-edge stage of the season.

You can find all our predictions for today’s games on our football betting tips page.

🏅Tips.GG premium subscription brings you even closer to WIN!🏅

• Gain access to the most profitable bets by using our analysis of over 60,000 monthly predictions from 1000+ sources.
• Premium users enjoy predictions from tipsters with the highest win rate while also gaining access to favorable odds, outcome calculation, and quick filter to favorable odds.
• Unlock the “Golden Bet” – our unique formula for the best high-odd betting opportunities! Get detailed reports on our system’s performance, including Winrate, ROI, and Yield.

Possible Starting Lineups

Hull possible starting eleven

With a 4-2-3-1 setup expected, Pandur retains his spot in goal after consistent showings. Egan and Hughes offer stability at centre-half, supported by attacking full-backs Coyle and Giles. Midfield sees the reliable Slater-Lundstram double-pivot, while Hadžiahmetović offers control and transition. Gelhardt plays the central creative role with Koumas and McBurnie flanking him—though McBurnie has been inconsistent, his physicality remains invaluable. The spotlight, then, falls on Gelhardt, whose spark will be needed to break down Derby’s compact lines.

Derby possible starting eleven

Retaining their familiar 4-2-3-1, Vickers anchors in goal. Clarke and Forsyth are paired at the back for experience, while Elder—impressive with two assists—and Sanderson push into wide defensive roles. Travis and Ozoh shield the defence, allowing creative spark Joe Ward to link play. Up front, Brewster’s recent hot streak makes him the clear danger man, with Agyemang and Brereton providing width and direct threat. The attacking trident poses real questions for Hull’s back line, especially if allowed to counter at pace.

Best football betting sites and Bonuses

My take on the Match

This fixture epitomises the tightrope walk of Championship football. On this showing, Derby’s firepower, combined with recent improvements in discipline and chance creation, edges them ahead for me—especially with Brewster in clinical form. While Hull’s home record and possession game can’t be underestimated, their frequent lapses and muddled forward line sound alarm bells. My main pick? Derby Draw No Bet—offering the best of low-risk value in an unpredictable fight. Expect a battle of attrition, with chances at a premium and one moment of brilliance likely to settle the contest.

More useful links for football fans

• Daily Football Predictions
• Football Teams Rankings
• Football Matches Today
• Current football tournaments
• Football betting guide by Tips.GG