Hull City v Ipswich Town: two sides level on nine points

Recent form points to volatility

Hull have drawn two and lost three of their last five recent matches, while Ipswich have won two and lost three of theirs. That contrast in outcomes, Hull collecting points in pairs, Ipswich taking all three or none, means the visitors arrive with the same total despite a sharper recent record. Hull's last outing ended in a 0-1 defeat, their third loss in five. Ipswich lost 2-3 in their most recent match, the third defeat in their last five as well.

A win would lift either side to 12 points from eight matches; a draw would leave both on 10. The gap to sixth-placed Brentford, who have 10 points from seven, is tight enough that three points here would put the winner within two of that mark, though Brentford will have played a game fewer.

Head-to-head record heavily one-sided

The five meetings between these sides have produced 13 goals and a clear pattern: Hull have lost four and drawn one. The most recent encounter ended 0-1, the one before that 0-2. Hull's only point from those five came in a 3-3 draw. Ipswich have won four of the five without conceding more than once in any of the victories.

That run offers Hull little to draw on, but form this season has been close enough that the market sees this as level. Both sides have taken nine points from the same number of matches, and both have a goal difference in single figures, Hull plus-one, Ipswich minus-four. Saturday evening will decide which of them moves clear.

We are covering this one live. Follow it with us in the match centre for the line-ups when they land, the goals as they go in, and the full timeline.