FA Cup 2025/26: Hull City vs Chelsea Preview, Prediction, TV channels & Predicted Lineup

Championship side Hull City welcomes Premier League heavyweights Chelsea to the MKM Stadium for a high-stakes FA Cup tie. The "Tigers" aim for a historic upset against a surging Blues squad.

Match Facts

This is a Fifth Round (Round of 16) clash. A victory tonight sends the winner directly into the FA Cup Quarter-finals.

Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior returns to his former club, Hull City, where he enjoyed success as both a player and a manager.

The Blues have been formidable in domestic cups this season, recently drawing with Arsenal in the League Cup semi-finals and seeking a deep FA Cup run.

Hull City sits in the Championship playoff spots and enters this match on a three-game winning streak, fueled by a loud home atmosphere.

Chelsea has won their last seven FA Cup encounters against Hull City, a dominant run the hosts are desperate to break tonight.

Predicted Lineup

Hull City (4-2-3-1): Pandur; Coyle, Jones, McLoughlin, Giles; Slater, Simons; Omur, Mehlem, Millar; Burstow.

Chelsea (4-3-3): Jorgensen; Gusto, Disasi, Badiashile, Veiga; Dewsbury-Hall, Lavia, Chukwuemeka; Madueke, Guiu, Neto.

Prediction of AI

Chelsea is expected to rotate their squad given their heavy February schedule, which could offer Hull City a window of opportunity. However, even a rotated Chelsea side possesses superior technical quality. Expect Hull to start aggressively, but Chelsea’s bench strength should prove decisive in the second half.

Score Prediction: Hull City 1 - 2 Chelsea.

Kick Off Time?

Competition: FA Cup (Fifth Round)

Kick-off (GMT): 19:45, Friday 13 February 2026

Stadium, location: MKM Stadium, Hull, England

How to Watch in the UK and US?

In the UK: Live on ITV1 and streaming via ITVX.

In the US: Exclusively available to stream on ESPN+.

TV Channel and Live Stream: You can also follow Xscore808 live updates for other countries.