Hull vs. Man United Picks, Odds, and EPL Betting Analysis — Red Devils to Cover the Spread at +114?
- When: Saturday, August 22, 2026. 7:30 AM ET
- Where: MKM Stadium, Hull, England
- How to Watch: NBC
Hull vs. Man United EPL Preview
The first Saturday of the 2026-27 Premier League season will see Michael Carrick’s Man United in action against newly-promoted Hull City. The Red Devils will be expected to make a winning start to the campaign based on the odds available with the best soccer betting sites. However, could the Tigers be capable of making a shock winning start on their return to England’s top division?
ALSO SEE: Premier League 2026/27: Our Experts Make Their Winner, Relegation, and Top Scorer Picks
Hull City Expected to Struggle in First EPL Campaign Since 2013-14
It has been an outstanding couple of years for Hull City, and few would have believed that they would be kicking off the 2026-27 season in England’s top division. Sergej Jakirović deserves huge credit for the job that he has done with the Tigers. He has guided a team that avoided relegation to League One on the final day of the 2024-25 season and returned to the top flight despite a transfer embargo.
Overcoming the odds has been a narrative throughout their success, as they scraped into last season’s playoffs on the final day of the regular season, before scoring a last-minute winner against Middlesbrough at Wembley to secure Playoff glory. Scoring goals would undeniably be the biggest question that they need to answer, as only Sheffield Wednesday had a worse xG in the Championship last term.
Meanwhile, defensively they were also questionable, with their tally of 66 goals against being the fourth-worst record in the second tier. Money has been spent on the squad this summer, but stars such as Nobel Mendy, Lucas Herrington, and Jens Hjerto-Dahl will all be playing their first season in the EPL.
Likely Lineup:
(4-5-1) Tzolakis (GK); Coyle, Ajayi, Herrington, Giles; Dahl, Crooks, Slater, Belloumi, Millar; McBurnie
Carrick Takes Permanent Charge of the Red Devils for the First Time
No side picked up more points than Manchester United in the second half of last season, meaning that it is unsurprising that Michael Carrick was offered the permanent role at Old Trafford in the summer. From a position of peril, Carrick guided United back into the Champions League, with a free-flowing style of soccer which was absent throughout the failed reign of Ruben Amorim.
This season will bring with it new challenges, notably a more congested fixture list, which would be a concern based on the paper thin squad United have. Casemiro’s departure also leaves a hole in the middle of the field. But the Red Devils have acted decisively in the transfer window with the signings of Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos. A more possession-based style is likely to be adopted by Carrick based on the signings. United fans have already got an exciting first glimpse of the potential link-up between Tielemans and Bruno Fernandes in recent pre-season draws against PSG and Leeds.
Bryan Mbeumo has been a star performer throughout the summer, registering four goal involvements in three appearances. He is expected to lead the line in the absence of Benjamin Sesko. Marcus Rashford will be re-integrated into the first-team following a succesful loan spell with Barcelona, but the Englishman may need to settle for a place on the bench behind Matheus Cunha.
Likely Lineup:
(4-2-3-1) Lammens (GK); Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Tielemans, Mainoo; Amad, Fernandes, Cunha; Mbeumo
Head-to-Head Stats
- Hull City have avoided defeat in their last two competitive fixtures against Man United, which includes a 2-1 home win in the EFL Cup in 2017.
- United are unbeaten in the previous nine EPL encounters between the teams.
Hull vs. Man United EPL Picks
This will be a big season for Man United, as Carrick looks to take the club back to the top of the English game. The Red Devils have looked sharp throughout pre-season, and the re-introduction of major stars such as Fernandes, Cunha, and Mainoo in recent friendlies ensures that the club will be ready for a fast start to the season. Based on Hull’s weak defensive record, they could be heavily beaten on a number of occasions in the EPL this term, beginning with a big loss on the opening day at the hands of United.
