The Tigers are winless in five games, but there is fresh cause for optimism at the KCOM Stadium with the club's takeover imminent in the next few days.
Grant McCann's side put up a spirited performance in the FA Cup last time out, losing 3-2 to Everton after extra time.
They sit 19th in the Championship with 23 points, and have the third-worst home record in the league this season.
Stoke City have not been in fine form themselves, with just one win in their previous six league games.
A 2-0 cup win against Leyton Orient last weekend is bound to have lifted spirits, as will the additions of Taylor Harwood-Bellis and ** to Michael O'Neill's squad this week.
The Potters boss will miss the trip to Yorkshire after testing positive for COVID-19 this week.
They are eighth in the league table, five points behind QPR in the playoff spots.
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Team news
Andy Cannon is set to be unavailable for two weeks after picking up a ligament injury in training this week.
Hull are still without star forward Mallik Wilks as he continues to recover from a metatarsal injury that is set to rule him out for two months.
Alfie Jones (hamstring), Callum Elder (groin), Lewie Coyle (ankle) and Josh Emmanuel (unknown) all remain on the sidelines.
Stoke are hoping to have Steven Fletcher back fit for the game, after he returned to training this week following a hip injury.
New signing Taylor Harwood-Bellis comes into immediate contention for a start in the Potters' defence after signing on loan from Manchester City.
Mario Vrancic faces a late fitness test after pulling up late on in the Leyton Orient game with a hamstring injury.
The game comes too soon for Jordan Thompson, with the midfielder recovered from surgery and expected to be available for selection next week.
Joe Bursik, Nick Powell, Harry Souttar, Romaine Sawyers, Abdallah Sima and Tom Edwards are all set to face longer spells on the sidelines.
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Predicted lineups
Hull City (3-4-1-2)
Baxter; Bernard, Greaves, McLoughlin; Longman, Docherty, Smallwood, Lewis-Potter; Honeyman; Smith, Eaves.
Stoke City (3-4-1-2)
Davies; Wilmot, Batth, Harwood-Bellis; Smith, Clucas, Allen, Tymon; Ince; Fletcher, Campbell.
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Ones to watch
20 year-old Lewis-Potter is a Hull academy graduate, and has fast developed into one of the Tigers' star players despite his tender age. Quick and agile, he can play across the front line but is usually deployed as a left winger so he can cut onto his stronger right foot.
His exploits in League One last season earned him the EFL Young Player of the Month for September 2020, as he lead his boyhood club back to the second tier at the first time of asking with 13 goals throughout the campaign. He has five goals in 24 appearances this time around.
After joining the Stoke City academy from Manchester City at 16, it took just two years for Campbell to break into the Potters' first team as he made his debut in the Premier League. Three years and one serious injury later, he is now looking to kick on and enjoy his role as Michael O'Neill's first-choice striker.
He had notched six in 16 games before suffering a season ending-knee injury in November 2020, and had to wait 12 months to return to action. His comeback has understandably been a slow process with just three goals in 13 games - but a well-taken finish against Leyton Orient last week hinted at Stoke fans having the Campbell of old well and truly back.
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Previous meetings
Stoke were 2-0 victors in the meeting between the two clubs earlier in the season, with goals from Vrancic and Powell.
Hull are looking to win three consecutive home league games between the teams for the first time.
The Tigers have won just three of the last 19 league games between the teams, with six draws and 10 Stoke wins.
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How to watch
The game kicks off at 12:00 GMT on Sunday January 16.
It is live on Sky Sports Main Event, with coverage from 11:30.