Chelsea look to reignite their early-season title challenge against unbeaten Hull in a tricky Premier League encounter.
Victory would lift Chelsea up to third in the table, whilst Hull can go top for at least a few hours with a win.
Team News
Emmanuel Emegha isn’t expected to be available for Chelsea as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury suffered in pre-season.
Manager, Xabi Alonso otherwise has no fresh injury concerns after their 6-3 comeback against Leeds in midweek Carabao Cup action.
Marco Palestra (knock) and Moises Caicedo (calf) are doubts but Jordan Henderson is still ruled out with a wrist injury.
Hull could welcome Paddy McNair (foot), Brooke Norton-Cuffy (calf) and Tim Iroegbunam (adductor) into the squad, after the trio sat out their midweek Carabao Cup exit at Sunderland.
Jack Butland (arm), Eliot Matzo (ACL), Hidemasa Morita, Darko Gyabi (both adductor), Ilyas Ansah (back), Charlie Hughes (hernia), Oscar Zambrano (hamstring) and Matty Jacob (hip) are ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
Chelsea host Hull at Stamford Bridge on Saturday 12 September at 3pm BST, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Chelsea have dropped just four points in 10 previous Premier League meetings against Hull (W8, D2)
- Hull have claimed just one point in five previous Premier League trips to Chelsea (D1, L4).
- Chelsea have won five of their last six top-flight clashes against Hull by a 2-0 result, except for a 3-2 away win in March 2015.
- Chelsea have scored first in all three of their league games so far this season (W2, L1).
- Hull are yet to concede a league goal this season (W2, D1).
Prediction
Although their fast starts in league games have been impressive, Chelsea definitely should be worried about how vulnerable their defence is because it is pretty fragile as Leeds punished in midweek before their own defensive implosion, and their firepower won’t mask that issue long term.
Hull meanwhile haven’t conceded a league goal yet this season but given their awful away record in this Premier League fixture, I expect that to go but if they can go defensive and try the counter-attack, they might just be able to spring a surprise.
I however just don’t see Chelsea losing this but Hull probably should be capable of nicking a goal if can get the hosts’ defence under pressure.
Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Hull
Result: Chelsea 2-2 Hull
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