Football’s ‘most expensive game’ sees two Yorkshire teams do battle in perhaps the most controversial Championship final of all time. Matthew O’Regan is covering the game with a 17/1 bet builder.

Hull, who snuck into the playoffs on the final day, put in a disciplined performance to beat favourites Millwall 0-2 over two legs, silencing a boisterous Den. Despite sheer domination in the first leg at the Riverside, Middlesbrough only managed a goalless stalemate against Southampton, before a late loss in extra time at St Mary’s saw them lose over two legs.

However, Southampton were found guilty of spying on Boro and a host of other sides in the Championship so were disqualified, affording the North Yorkshire side a lifeline and a chance of glory at Wembley.

Hull vs Middlesbrough Bet Builder Tips

  • Luke Ayling 2+ Fouls Won
  • Mohamed Belloumi 2+ Shots
  • Aidan Morris 2+ Shots
  • David Strelec 1+ Foul Committed

David Strelec 1+ Foul Committed

David Strelec has cemented himself as a regular starter, starting the last ten matches in a row. He has committed a foul in six of those games and relishes the physical side of high-stakes encounters. Notably, a striker has made at least one foul against Hull in 16 of their last 18 matches - a trend that bodes well here.

Luke Ayling 2+ Fouls Won

Luke Ayling’s experience and game intelligence could prove vital on the biggest stage. He has won 14 fouls across his last five appearances - six of those coming in the playoffs. With Hull likely to deploy physical forwards such as Oli Mcburne and Kyle Joseph, Ayling’s ability to draw contact looks a strong angle.

Mohamed Belloumi 2+ Shots

Hull’s counter-attacking threat largely runs through Mohamed Belloumi. Averaging 3.56 shots per 90, the Algerian winger recorded four efforts across the semi-finals and thrives when cutting inside onto his stronger foot. With Middlesbrough conceding over 10 shots per game, Belloumi should see opportunities to test the goalkeeper.

Aidan Morris 2+ Shots

The return of captain Hayden Hackney is expected to free Morris to operate higher up the pitch. The American midfielder carried significant attacking responsibility in the semi-finals, consistently finding space on the edge of the area. Hull concede an average

of 14.63 shots per game - a figure that plays into Morris’ strengths who averages 1.55 per 90.