Date: Friday 13th February 2026
Venue: The MKM Stadium
Kick-off: 19:45 GMT
Well, after Tuesday night’s tragicomedy against Leeds—a performance which surely convinced at least three grandmas to take up refereeing—tonight it’s FA Cup time at the MKM Stadium. Our reward? An away trip to Hull City, who happen to be the last English club where Liam Rosenior polished his managerial shoes before being sent packing in May 2024.
Hull stumble into tonight’s clash with Chelsea lugging an eight-game losing streak, nearly as long as the wait for chips at Stamford Bridge after the final whistle. We’ve already bundled them out of the cup twice recently—February 2018 and January 2020—so it’s fair to assume Hull’s luggage is stuffed with hope, plus a back-up flask of Yorkshire Tea
And Chelsea? Well, if anyone finds a way to play for more than 47 minutes, please send instructions to Cobham immediately. Our “how to lose a lead” act is so polished, we could teach a masterclass—our defence is more giving than Santa at the Christmas do, and our stamina’s about as reliable as a Southern Rail timetable.
Brighton gave us the boot at this stage last year, so whether we go through tonight depends on which Chelsea side turns up: the one playing Santa, the one on a charity drive, or (dare we dream) the one that remembers how to actually win from in front.
Here’s hoping the only thing we give away tonight is a hearty laugh and not another cup run!
MANAGER’S VIEWS
Going into today’s game, Hull manager, Sergej Jakirovic, says “What can I say about Chelsea? Chelsea is Chelsea. We will prepare everything. Maybe we will use this game to give some minutes to those players who need minutes, we will see. We must be smart in this game. We will be in a low block, maybe we can play with a shovel, I don’t know. It will be very interesting because they are very good and Liam (Rosenior) has a very wide roster. They played on Saturday (won 3-1 at Wolves), and on Tuesday again (at home to Leeds), so we will see who will play against us.”
Liam Rosenior, meanwhile, says “It’s a tough game. This is going to be a difficult game. I want to do well in this competition. I don’t see it any different to a Premier League game or a Champions League game. We’re going there with a team that I think will be good enough to win the game. I want to take this game really, really seriously.”
SQUAD NEWS
For Hull, Semi Ajayi (hamstring), Mohamed Belloumi (hamstring), Cody Drameh (thigh), Darko Gyabi (groin), Matts Crooks (hamstring) and Eliot Matazo (knee) are all expected to miss out.
For Chelsea, Levi Colwill (ACL), Jamie Gittens (hamstring), Romeo Lavia (thigh), Dario Essugo (thigh) and Marc Cucurella (hamstring) are all injured and Mykhaylo Mudryk remains suspended. Tosin Adarabioyo, Filip Jorgensen and Reece James will be assessed for inclusion.
TEAMS
HULL (Possible line-up): Pandur; McNair, Egan, Hughes; Coyle, Slater, Lundstram, Giles; Gelhardt; Joseph, McBurnie
CHELSEA (Possible line-up): Sanchez, Acheampong, Fofana, Badiashile, Hato; Caicedo, Santos; Neto, Estevao, Garnacho; Delap
LAST MEETING
Hull 1-2 Chelsea (25th January 2020)
CURRENT FORM (ALL)
HULL: WWWWDL
CHELSEA: WWWLWD
OTHER STUFF
- Hull have won one of their last 35 games against Chelsea in all competitions
- Hull have lost their last 8 games against Chelsea
- Chelsea have progressed from all eight of their FA Cup ties against Hull
- Hull are looking to reach the FA Cup fifth round for the first time since 2017-18.
- Hull have been eliminated in their last 16 ties against top-flight teams while playing outside the top-flight themselves
- Chelsea have progressed from 62 of their last 64 FA Cup ties against sides from outside the Premier League
PREDICTION
Sportsmole: Hull 1-3 Chelsea
Blue is the colour
