Reading FC is set to host Hull City on Saturday in a crucial final pre-season fixture. This match offers Rubén Sellés and his team a last chance to fine-tune their preparations before the Sky Bet League One opener against Birmingham City next week.
Our visitors, Hull City, arrive at the Select Car Leasing Stadium under new management, with high aspirations to secure a top spot in the Championship this season. They are sure to provide a robust challenge for our squad, as our players vie for a place in the starting lineup for the big kick-off.
THE OPPOSITION
Celebrating their 120th season last year, Hull City spent much of their campaign contending for a Play-Off spot. Under the guidance of former Royal Liam Rosenior, the Tigers narrowly missed out, finishing in the unfortunate 7th place. Following this, Hull replaced Rosenior with German manager Tim Walter.
In their most recent pre-season outing, Hull City demonstrated resilience by battling back from a 2-0 deficit to secure a 2-2 draw against Fiorentina, two-time Europa Conference League finalists. Goals from Abdülkadir Ömür and Ryan Longman showcased their attacking prowess and set the stage for an intriguing match against the Royals.
HEAD TO HEAD
The last competitive league encounters between Reading and Hull City were in the 2022/23 season. Despite Reading’s relegation that year, the Royals managed to take four points from Hull City in their two clashes. Notably, in November, a dramatic 94th-minute header from Andy Carroll secured Reading’s first-ever win at the MKM Stadium, sending the team into the World Cup break on a high note.
The reverse fixture in March saw another crucial contribution from Carroll, whose goal ensured a 1-1 draw at home.
Historically, the teams are evenly matched:
- Royals wins: 19
- Draws: 21
- Hull City wins: 19
This balanced head-to-head record sets the stage for what promises to be a thrilling final pre-season match as both teams look to gain momentum ahead of their respective league campaigns.
