Hull City vs Ipswich Town: Preview, h2h as Ajayi leads the defence

Super Eagles defender Semi Ajayi is expected to start at centre-back as Hull City host Ipswich Town on Saturday in a meeting of two sides level on 10 points.

Ajayi was not listed among Hull's injured or doubtful players in Sports Mole's team news, and he is in its predicted XI. Soccernet covered his reaction to Hull's last home result in our Ajayi after the Brentford draw story. Our weekend roundup of Nigerians abroad has the rest of the latest round.

Match facts

Form guide: draws are Hull's habit

Hull have drawn four of their last six Premier League games, losing the other two, and their most recent result was a 1-1 draw with Brentford.

Ipswich have won two, lost three and drawn one of their last six. Their latest was a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest, which left them 12th and four points clear of 18th-placed Forest.

Head-to-head: a first top-flight meeting

This is the first time the clubs have met in the top flight. Hull have not beaten Ipswich in any meeting since November 2020, when both were in League One.

Key battles

Nigerian connection: Ajayi against Ipswich's wide threats

Ipswich are expected to line up with Fatawu, Enciso and Philogene behind the striker, so Ajayi and the Hull back line will be tested by pace and movement.

Analysis: a draw would suit a tight game

Both sides have 10 points and a pattern of low-margin results, which points to a game decided by one error or one set piece. Hull's defensive resources are stretched, so the discipline of Ajayi and his fellow defenders matters more than usual.

Team news

Hull are without Eliot Matazo (knee), Matt Targett (ankle), Ilyas Ansah (back), Darko Gyabi (groin) and Charlie Hughes (groin). Lucas Gourna-Douath (calf), Nobel Mendy (groin) and goalkeeper Jack Butland (arm) are doubtful.

Ipswich will be without Jack Taylor, and Sasa Lukic is a groin doubt.

Verdict

Two sides on equal points, with Hull's injury list against Ipswich's mixed form, point to a share of the spoils. Ajayi's performance in the middle of the back line is likely to decide whether Hull get more than that.