Chelsea visits Hull City this Friday, February 13, 2026, at 7:45 pm (Londres time), at MKM Stadium, at Hull, for the fourth round of FA Cup. The match is a knockout, with the winner advancing directly to the round of 16 of the oldest competition in world football. The lineups were confirmed by the technical committees, highlighting different tactical formations for each team.
Hull City plays at home and seeks to surprise the favoritism of Premier League’s opponent. Chelsea arrives with a dominant record in direct confrontations and has maintained an undefeated streak against Tigers for 16 games. The match is broadcast live on Disney+ in several countries.
Local fans expect capacity at MKM Stadium, which has a capacity for around 25,000 people. Referee Farai Hallam referees the game, with a low average number of cards in previous matches.
Confirmed lineups
The teams entered with formations already defined by the coaches. Hull City adopts a 3-4-2-1 formation, prioritizing defensive solidity and quick transitions down the flanks. Chelsea responds with 4-2-3-1, a formation that balances midfield control and speed in attack.
- Hull City (3-4-2-1):D.Phillips; P. McNair, J. Egan, C. McCarthy; L. Coyle (c), R. Slater, A. Hadžiahmetović, R. Giles; Y.Hirakawa, L.Millar; L.Koumas.
- Chelsea (4-2-3-1): R.Sánchez; R. James (c), W. Fofana, M. Sarr, J. Hato; A. Santos, M. Caicedo; P. Neto, Estêvão, A. Garnacho; L.Delap.
Banks have options for changes. No Hull City, Ivor Pandur, Akin Famewo and Joe Gelhardt stand out. The Chelsea has Malo Gusto, Benoît Badiashile and Enzo Fernández as its main reserves.
Featured players
Certain athletes draw attention for their recent performance and potential impact on the game. No Hull City, L. Koumas acts as a reference in the attack and looks for spaces against the opposing defense. Oli McBurnie, even though he wasn’t initially selected, represents an aerial threat from set pieces.
For Chelsea, Estêvão and Alejandro Garnacho form a fast duo on the wings and explore counterattacks. Enzo Fernández, if it enters, adds quality in distribution and game vision. Moisés Caicedo and André Santos form a robust duo in the middle, responsible for recovering balls and starting plays.
Direct comparison between sectors shows balance in creation, but technical superiority of Chelsea in most positions. Individual duels on the flanks should define important moments of the match.
Confrontation history
Hindsight largely favors Chelsea in previous encounters. Os Blues have won their last eight games against Hull City in all competitions and remain unbeaten in 16 matches, with 14 wins and two draws.
In FA Cup specifically, Chelsea maintains 100% success rate against Tigers. Recent Exemplos include a 2-1 win in 2020 away from home and a 4-0 win in 2018 at Stamford Bridge.
- Last five clashes:
- 2020: Hull City 1 x 2 Chelsea (FA Cup)
- 2018: Chelsea 4 x 0 Hull City (FA Cup)
- 2017: Chelsea 2 x 0 Hull City (Premier League)
- 2016: Hull City 0 x 2 Chelsea (Premier League)
- Other older games follow a similar pattern of dominance by Londoners.
Hull City only records four victories in history against Chelsea, none of them in FA Cup. Esse scenario reinforces visitors’ favorite status.
Team situation
Hull City competes for Championship in the current season and occupies intermediate positions in the table, with a solid campaign at home. The Liam Rosenior team prioritizes tactical organization and takes advantage of the local factor in cup competitions.
Chelsea competes in Premier League and is looking for titles to consolidate the project under the command of Sergej Jakirović. Os Blues arrive with a recent positive sequence and deep cast, allowing rotations without loss of quality.
Both teams progressed from the previous FA Cup rounds with convincing performances. The confrontation represents an opportunity for Hull City to achieve a historic feat, while Chelsea aims to maintain a winning tradition in the competition.
Absences and refereeing team
Injuries and suspensions affect planning. Hull City does not count on Mohamed Belloumi, outside the game, in addition to doubts about Eliot Matazo and Darko Gyabi.
At Chelsea, Marc Cucurella, Roméo Lavia, Dário Essugo and Jamie Gittens are confirmed out. Reece James and other names appear as unconfirmed but cast.
Farai Hallam commands central arbitration. The judge records an average of 3.71 cards per match and only 0.02 reds, indicating balanced conduct.
Importance of the knockout stage
The fourth round of the FA Cup brings together clubs from different divisions and traditionally holds surprises. The winner of this duel advances to the round of 16, approaching the decisive stages in Wembley.
Hull City dreams of a similar campaign to 2014, when they reached the final. Chelsea, multiple champions of the competition, uses the tournament to give rhythm to young talents and maintain a competitive squad.
MKM Stadium hosts cup games with an intense atmosphere and massive support from the local fans. The match attracts international attention due to the technical disparity and the possibility of an upset.
Tactical context of the duel
Hull City’s 3-4-2-1 formation exploits width with wing-backs and creative attacking duos. The strategy aims to press high and exploit errors in the opponent’s ball.
Chelsea counters with qualified possession and quick transitions through the wings. Defensive midfielders protect the defense, allowing offensive players freedom.
Dead balls represent a weapon for both sides. Hull has height in defenders, while Chelsea has precision in charges.
