Hull City 2026/27 Season Preview: Transfers, Squad Depth & Fixture Outlook

 

 

When I saw Hull City lift that Wembley trophy, I did not expect the follow-up to be this bold. Sergej Jakirović guided Hull City to sixth place in the Championship, past Millwall in the semi-finals and then to a 1–0 victory over Middlesbrough, with Oli McBurnie scoring in stoppage time to end the club’s nine-year wait. GoalBible's take is that the hard part starts now. Acun Ilıcalı has reportedly backed the club with a £200 million transfer budget, and Hull broke their transfer record twice in one window, most recently by spending £20 million on centre-back Nobel Mendy. Jakirovic now has to make a Championship squad compete at the top level, and this side started the season as relegation favourites.

 

Why Is Hull City's Transfer Business Worth Watching This Season?

 

Hull City New Signing Players (2026/27)

 

 

Hull City Departure Players (2026/27)

 

Note: Updated on 19 Oct 2026

 

"Think about us like a volcano," Hull's owner Acun Ilicali says. "It's boiling right now and it's going to erupt." That line stuck with me, because it captures exactly what Hull are trying to do after a promotion few saw coming. I think the club genuinely wants to plant roots in the Premier League rather than treat this as a one-season holiday.

 

The Hidemasa Morita signing from Sporting Lisbon stands out to me. He has played Champions League football, and that kind of composure is hard to find at Hull's level. Record signing Nobel Mendy, meanwhile, is a serious statement about fixing the defence.

 

Even so, I think the new signings only tell half the story. Hull still have to fill the gaps left by the players who moved on, and Oli McBurnie has to keep finding the net for any of this to matter. The ambition in the recruitment is obvious to me, but the bigger question is whether the spending holds up over time. Get that balance right and this window keeps Hull up. Get it wrong and they are exposed.

 

More on this: Is Nobel Mendy Worth Hull City’s Record Signing?

 

Does Hull City Have Enough Quality to Survive the Premier League in 2026/27?

 

Goalkeepers – 2.5/5 (GoalBible Score)

 

Players: Jack Butland, Dillon Phillips, Konstantinos Tzolakis, Archie Howard

 

Konstantinos Tzolakis is an encouraging addition, having developed through European football with Olympiacos. His experience in continental competition could help him adapt to the higher standard of finishing and greater pressure associated with the Premier League.

 

Jack Butland provides valuable experience, having played in English football’s top division and represented Rangers. However, his arm injury, which is expected to keep him out until around Christmas, raises immediate concerns about Hull’s goalkeeping depth. Dillon Phillips consequently becomes an important alternative, although I am less convinced that Hull possess the same level of quality across their goalkeeping options as established Premier League clubs. Overall, I see this department as adequate, with Tzolakis potentially proving decisive in keeping Hull competitive.

 

Defenders – 3/5 (GoalBible Score)

 

Players: Lewie Coyle, Ryan Giles, Charlie Hughes, Semi Ajayi, John Egan, Paddy McNair, Brooke Norton-Cuffy, Lucas Herrington, Matt Targett, Nobel Mendy

 

I see defence as one of the more encouraging parts of Hull's squad, particularly in terms of depth and the range of individual profiles available. Nobel Mendy is an important addition because his athleticism and defensive potential could help Hull cope with the greater physical and technical demands of the Premier League. Semi Ajayi and John Egan bring experience, while Charlie Hughes offers further promise as a young centre-back. Hughes' composure and ability to distribute from the back could become valuable assets.

 

At wing-back, Lewie Coyle's leadership and Ryan Giles' attacking delivery provide useful qualities, while Matt Targett adds considerable Premier League experience. Giles recorded eight assists in the Championship last season, highlighting his ability to create opportunities rather than simply provide defensive cover. However, I believe Hull's defensive depth looks more convincing on paper than it does in terms of proven top-flight quality. Several players still need to demonstrate that they can maintain their level against stronger opponents. 

 

Midfielders – 2.5/5 (GoalBible Score)

 

Players: Hidemasa Morita, Eliot Matazo, Jens Hjertø-Dahl, Óscar Zambrano, Elliot Stroud, Darko Gyabi, Matt Crooks, Kieran Dowell, Regan Slater, Lucas Gourna-Douath, Abdülkadir Ömür, Christos Mouzakitis, Tim Iroegbunam

 

Midfield is potentially one of Hull's most important areas for improvement, but it also carries considerable uncertainty. Hidemasa Morita stands out because his experience at Sporting and in European competition should give Hull a midfielder capable of providing composure and technical quality. I expect his influence to be particularly important in helping the team maintain possession under pressure. Lucas Gourna-Douath and Jens Hjertø-Dahl also offer encouraging physical attributes, while Regan Slater and Matt Crooks provide familiarity with the club's promotion-winning side.

 

However, Crooks' disciplinary record is worth considering. He picked up 13 yellow cards in the Championship league campaign last season, making him Hull's most-booked player. His physicality and aggressive tackling can help disrupt opposition attacks, but I believe he will need to manage that aggression carefully against quicker Premier League opponents. His tendency to collect bookings could also make him an interesting name to monitor in yellow-card betting markets. Meanwhile, Eliot Matazo, Darko Gyabi and Óscar Zambrano have been identified as unavailable through injury, reducing the practical depth of the department. Kieran Dowell and Abdülkadir Ömür offer creativity, but I remain uncertain whether the midfield can consistently control matches against established Premier League opposition. Ultimately, Morita's adaptation, player availability and Crooks' discipline could all influence how reliable this unit becomes.

 

Forwards – 2/5 (GoalBible Score)

 

Players: Sorba Thomas, Oliver McBurnie, Mohamed Belloumi, Joe Gelhardt, Ilyas Ansah, Robinio Vaz, Mohamed-Ali Cho

 

The forward line worries me more than any other area, simply because so much of Hull's credibility up front rests on Oliver McBurnie. His promotion campaign told the story: 19 goals across all competitions last season. Beyond the finishing, his physical presence and aerial strength give Hull a reliable focal point in attack. I think those traits still hold up against better defenders, but leaning this hard on one centre-forward is an obvious gamble. A long goal drought or a serious injury, and Hull have to replace both his goals and his role in the attacking build-up.

 

Mohamed Belloumi adds pace and can create something from nothing. Joe Gelhardt offers versatility and could contribute more than a typical centre-forward, though his ankle injury has already raised doubts about when he is available. So the problem is not how many forwards Hull have. It is how little certainty surrounds their combined output. In my view, Hull have enough to cause occasional problems, yet they lack the proven depth and reliable scoring record I would expect from a team trying to settle in this division.

 

More on this: Is Hull City Defence Good Enough for Premier League Survival?

 

When Does Hull City’s Fixture List Offer the Greatest Opportunity for Points?

 

Where can Hull City pick up points? I would look to their matches against Coventry City, Ipswich Town, Sunderland and Bournemouth rather than the games against Premier League giants. Those are the games where they can compete on equal terms, and dropped points there are the ones that really cost you.

 

The fixture list is exciting but also a proper test. Opening at home to Man United, I think that's a good chance to build some momentum and confidence, even if points are hard to come by. But the away trip to Coventry, another promoted side, I actually feel matters more, because games against direct rivals are what decide where you finish.

 

The festive period is my big worry. Manchester City, Liverpool and Leeds United in a short window could expose gaps in squad depth, recovery and defensive consistency. Rotation and tactical discipline are a must there.

 

And I would not overlook those last home games against Newcastle United, AFC Bournemouth and Fulham. If Hull are still fighting, home advantage could decide survival. Late-season crowds lift tired legs, so resilience and consistency matter more than any single result.

 

Updated Hull City Fixtures List

 

August 2026

 

September 2026

 

October 2026

 

November 2026

 

December 2026

 

January 2027

 

February 2027

 

March 2027

 

April 2027

 

May 2027

Note: Updated on 19 Sep 2026

 

Can Hull Survive Their First Top-Flight Season Since 2016/17?

 

Hull City can survive their first top-flight season since 2016/17, but avoiding relegation will be a major challenge. Their resilience and ability to deliver under pressure offer hope, although conceding 66 Championship goals and recording the division’s second-lowest expected points highlight the need for greater consistency and defensive improvement.

 

Hull City’s prospects of Premier League survival present an intriguing question: can they follow the example of other promoted sides and defy expectations? Their Championship promotion was unexpected, particularly after finishing sixth despite recording only 53.1 expected points. This suggests that their success was driven partly by resilience and an ability to secure results in crucial moments rather than consistently strong underlying performances.

 

 

Historical comparisons offer both encouragement and caution. Since the Premier League’s formation in 1992, promoted teams collecting at least seven points from their opening three matches have experienced widely varying outcomes.

 

 

Historical examples offer mixed but encouraging signs for Hull City. Blackburn Rovers and Nottingham Forest turned promising starts into top-four finishes, while Bolton Wanderers won their first three matches but eventually finished 16th. Portsmouth and Huddersfield also demonstrated that early momentum does not guarantee long-term success. More recently, Sunderland’s remarkable rise from play-off winners to European qualification showed that promoted teams can exceed expectations. For Hull, these examples suggest survival is achievable, but consistency will be crucial. 

 

More on this: Can Hull City Turn Draws into Wins to Secure Premier League Survival?

 

How Did Hull Perform Last Season?

 

Since Hull have not been in the Premier League recently, there is not much top-flight form to judge. The most useful reference is the Championship play-off campaign that earned them promotion.

 

2025/26 EFL Championship Table

 

 

How Will Hull City Line Up Under Jakirović?

 

 

I think Jakirović will set Hull up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, which becomes a 4-4-2 out of possession as the attacking midfielder pushes forward alongside McBurnie to press the opposition’s centre-backs. Hull won't be bothered about keeping the ball. They'll hit early vertical passes, get past that first line of pressure, and use McBurnie to win duels and hold it up. This allows the wingers to attack second balls and run into spaces created by his movement, although losing the initial duel could leave Hull struggling to maintain possession.

 

In possession, McBurnie is the anchor. He is a lone striker, but his strength and hold-up play pull the wide attackers into the game. I can see Mohamed Belloumi cutting inside from the flank to attack central spaces, with the full-backs pushing forward for width and early crosses.

 

The double pivot behind him gives this direct approach its balance. Hidemasa Morita offers defensive awareness and discipline, while Regan Slater recovers loose balls and supports the transitions. The risk is the midfield getting stretched when both full-backs push on, which opens space for counters.

 

Defensively, I am expecting a compact mid-block, then aggressive pressing in wide areas. Their 3.98 shots on target conceded per game last season suggests a reasonably solid foundation, and 5.30 corners won per game shows real threat from direct attacks and set pieces.

 

I believe Hull’s effectiveness will depend on their ability to turn direct passes into coordinated second-ball attacks while maintaining sufficient midfield protection. If opponents dominate those second balls, Hull risk becoming disconnected between their defensive and attacking units.

 

What Do the Bookmakers Think About Hull City This Season?

 

Not surprisingly, my prediction matches what the bookies think. Duel does not even list outright winner odds for Hull City. Their trends sit in the To Be Relegated market, where Hull have the shortest price at 1.61, ahead of other outsiders like Coventry City and Ipswich Town.

 

Note: Odds are accurate as of  19 Oct 2026

 

GoalBible Final Verdict

 

Hull City back in the Premier League? Easily one of the best stories of 2026/27. For me, this season is all about whether they can turn all that ambition into something that actually sticks. Jakirović's leadership, how quickly the players find their feet, and whether the club learns from its knocks will decide where this goes. Whatever happens, this could be the foundation they build on for years, as long as Hull hold on to a clear identity and a vision that goes beyond just scraping by. Let's see how they perform when the Premier League starts, together with GoalBible.

 

 

Hull City’s Top 5 Goalscoring Candidates for the 2026/27 Season

 

Based on FBref data and their previous form, these are the five players I think will post the best Premier League goal and assist numbers.

 

1. Oli McBurnie

 

No. of Goals: 10–14

No. of Assists: 3–5

 

McBurnie is my leading candidate after scoring 17 goals and providing seven assists in 37 Championship appearances in 2025/26. His aerial presence and hold-up play suit Jakirović’s direct approach, making him the focal point of Hull’s attack. Although Premier League defenders will pose a tougher challenge, his role should provide consistent goalscoring opportunities.

 

2. Joe Gelhardt

 

No. of Goals: 7–10

No. of Assists: 3–5

 

Gelhardt scored 14 goals and registered four assists in the 2025/26 Championship season. His ability to carry the ball, cut inside and shoot from central areas gives Hull an alternative attacking threat beyond McBurnie. I expect him to benefit from the space created by the striker, although his final output will depend on securing regular minutes.

 

3. Sorba Thomas

 

No. of Goals: 5–8

No. of Assists: 5–8

 

Thomas recorded 10 goals and 11 assists in 45 Championship appearances for Stoke City in 2025/26. His combination of direct running, crossing and end product makes him a valuable option in Hull’s wide areas. I expect his creative output to remain important, while his goalscoring potential will depend on how effectively he adapts to Premier League defences.

 

4. Mohamed Belloumi

 

No. of Goals: 3–5

No. of Assists: 2–4

 

Belloumi only managed two Championship goals for Hull in 2025/26, but I see a bigger attacking role for him. From the right, he can drift inside and get into the box while the full-back overlaps to hold the width. That is exactly why he makes my top five. He has to finish better and stay consistent, but the chance is there for him to be a genuine secondary scorer.

 

5. Mohamed-Ali Cho

 

No. of Goals: 2–6

No. of Assists: 3–5

 

Cho recorded four goals and three assists in 24 Ligue 1 appearances for Nice in 2025/26, with five goals and four assists across all competitions. His pace, dribbling and ability to operate across the frontline could add another dimension to Hull’s attack. I expect him to contribute through both goals and assists, although adapting to English football and earning regular playing time remain key uncertainties.

 

Hull City 2026/27 Premier League Predictions: Final Table Position

 

Prediction: 20th Place

 

Even with all those late summer signings, I still have Hull finishing bottom. The money shows ambition, sure, but bringing in that many players so late leaves Jakirović with very little time to build a cohesive side. Their direct style might make them awkward to play against, but I doubt it produces enough consistent attacking output at Premier League level. In the end, I expect them to fall short and go straight back down.

 

Read More: 2026/27 Season Preview for

 

• Arsenal 

• Liverpool 

• Manchester City 

• Aston Villa 

• Newcastle United 

• Chelsea 

• Manchester United 

• Tottenham Hotspur 

• Fulham 

• Everton

• Brighton

• Nottingham Forest

• Crystal Palace

• Bournemouth

• Brentford

• Coventry City