Stoke City
Hull City
>Stoke City vs Hull City Predictions, Picks & Odds – 25/08/2026
Carabao Cup · 2nd RoundStoke City vs Hull City – Best bets of the match
Stoke City vs Hull City Preview
Stoke City's Championship campaign has started poorly, with consecutive defeats leaving Mark Robins searching for answers. The manager has admitted his squad is still gelling after a busy summer of recruitment, and fatigue in key positions has been a visible problem. A home win over the weekend offered some relief, but consistency remains elusive. The Carabao Cup could serve as a reset, giving fringe players a chance to stake their claim at the Bet365 Stadium.
Hull City return to the Premier League spotlight with remarkable early-season form, including a stunning 2-0 victory over Manchester United on the opening weekend. Their recent record of four wins from five matches across all competitions is impressive. However, manager Sergej Jakirovic is expected to rotate heavily for this second-round tie, prioritising top-flight survival over cup progression. Defensive injuries add further uncertainty, and a much-changed lineup could level the playing field considerably against their Championship hosts.
Hull City's Premier League form reads superbly, with three wins from their opening fixtures including that headline-grabbing victory over Manchester United. However, Sergej Jakirovic has all but confirmed heavy rotation for this Carabao Cup second round tie, prioritising league commitments over a midweek cup run. That changes the complexion of this fixture considerably, stripping away much of the visitors' advantage.
Stoke, despite their difficult start, are at home and desperate for a positive result to build confidence. A weakened Hull side walking into the Bet365 Stadium gives Robins a genuine chance to spring a surprise. The hosts' squad is still settling after summer recruitment, yet cup football often rewards hunger over quality, and Stoke will have that in abundance.
The double chance 1X looks the shrewd play here, covered by the home price at 2.83. With Hull's defensive injuries and expected rotation, backing Stoke to either win or grind out a draw offers solid coverage. Under 2.5 goals at 1.76 also merits attention given the likely disrupted line-ups on both sides. Odds correct at time of publication.
Trends to Know about Stoke City vs Hull City
- Hull expect heavy squad rotation midweek
- Stoke winless in two Championship matches
- Hull won last three Bet365 Stadium visits
Form & Statistics: Stoke City vs Hull City
Stoke City
Recent form
Season statistics (3)
Hull City
Recent form
Season statistics (1)
Lineups: Stoke City vs Hull City
Stoke City
Starters
- 1 Viktor Johansson
- 2 Ben Wilmot
- 3 Luke Graham
- 4 Ben Gibson
- 5 Eric Bocat
- 6 Ethan Galbraith
- 7 Svante Ingelsson
- 8 Tomáš Rigo
- 9 Million Manhoef
- 10 Robert Boženik
- 11 Sorba Thomas
Bench
- Josh Griffiths
- George Hirst
- Djibril Soumaré
- Jack Newall
Absent
- Junior Tchamadeu (injury)
- Aaron Cresswell (injury)
- Lamine Cisse (injury)
- Bosun Lawal (injury)
- Ato Ampah (injury)
Hull City
Starters
- 1 Konstantinos Tzolakis
- 2 Lewie Coyle
- 3 Semi Ajayi
- 4 Matt Targett
- 5 Ryan Giles
- 6 Matt Crooks
- 7 Regan Slater
- 8 Elliot Stroud
- 9 Jens Hjertø-Dahl
- 10 Mohamed Belloumi
- 11 Oli McBurnie
Bench
- Lucas Herrington
- Lucas Gourna-Douath
Absent
- Eliot Matazo (injury)
- Darko Gyabi (injury)
- Jack Butland (Elbow injury (expected back late October 2026 / early new year))
- Oscar Zambrano (Hamstring injury (expected back mid-September 2026))
- Charlie Hughes (Double hernia surgery / Groin injury (return date uncertain / early September 2026))
- Joe Gelhardt (Ankle injury (expected out for another three weeks / early September 2026))
Low confidence
Both lineups carry a speculated tag here, drawn from rotation hints rather than confirmed team news, so treat the tactical picture as a working hypothesis rather than gospel. That said, Stoke's Million Manhoef shapes up as the most dynamic outlet in a 4-3-3 built to press with width, while Hull's 4-2-3-1 looks compact through the middle.
The Carabao Cup's second round traditionally invites squad rotation, and both benches reflect that reality with limited depth on show. Hull's double pivot of Matt Crooks and Regan Slater will look to control the tempo against Stoke's three-man midfield engine, making the central battle the key contest to watch at the bet365 Stadium.
Stoke City vs Hull City: Head-to-Head
Average statistics (recent meetings)
How to Watch Stoke City vs Hull City Match?
What time is Stoke City vs Hull City?
Stoke City host Hull City at the Bet365 Stadium on 25 August 2026, with kickoff set for 19:45 BST.
Where is Stoke City vs Hull City being played?
This Carabao Cup second round tie takes place at the Bet365 Stadium in Stoke-on-Trent.
How Can I Watch Stoke City vs Hull City on TV and Live Stream?
This Carabao Cup tie will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom.