Hull City returns to the Premier League for the 2026-27 season after a successful playoff campaign in May. The team’s promotion is widely viewed as an unexpected achievement, given that they began the previous Championship season as favorites for relegation. Throughout that campaign, the club operated under a transfer embargo, which limited their ability to strengthen the squad.

Despite their promotion, experts express concern regarding the team's defensive stability. During their last season, Hull City conceded 66 league goals, representing the fourth-highest total in the Championship. Because of these defensive vulnerabilities and the jump in competition level, The Guardian’s panel of writers has collectively predicted a 20th-place finish for the club. Survival in the top flight is expected to require significant tactical adjustments and a high level of performance from key players, with much of the team's potential success likely resting on the contributions of Oli.