Match Preview: Chelsea vs Hull

England»Premier League - 2013/2014»

Chelsea	vs	Hull
	Kick off: 16:00 Date: Sun, 18-Aug-13

Probable Lineups

4-2-3-1

Chelsea

3-5-2

Hull

• Cech
• N/A

• Cole
• N/A

• Terry
• N/A

• Cahill
• N/A

• Ivanovic
• N/A

• Luiz
• N/A

• Ramires
• N/A

• Schürrle
• N/A

• Oscar
• N/A

• Hazard
• N/A

• Lukaku
• N/A

• McGregor
• N/A

• Figueroa
• N/A

• Davies
• N/A

• McShane
• N/A

• Brady
• N/A

• Koren
• N/A

• Meyler
• N/A

• Huddlestone
• N/A

• Elmohamady
• N/A

• Aluko
• N/A

• Sagbo
• N/A

Missing Players

Player	Reason	Status	Rating
Tomas Kalas		Out	N/A
David Luiz		Doubtful	N/A
Juan Mata		Doubtful	N/A

Player	Reason	Status	Rating
Stephen Quinn		Out	N/A

Team News

Chelsea

• Juan Mata and David Luiz are both doubtful for José Mourinho's first game back in charge of Chelsea for the welcome of Hull City.
• Young defender Tomas Kalas is ruled out with a broken leg.
• Romelu Lukaku is tipped to oust Fernando Torres on the frontline, while Andre Schürrle could make his debut at Stamford Bridge.

Hull

• Stephen Quinn is manager Steve Bruce's only injury concern, with the midfielder suffering from a hamstring problem.
• New signing Danny Graham may have to settle for a place on the bench, but acquired quartet Allan McGregor, Maynor Figeuroa, Curtis Davies and Yannick Sagbo are expected to start.
• Tom Huddlestone, who arrived from Tottenham Hotspur, is expected to start, but Jake Livermore is likely to join Danny Graham on the bench.

Match Facts

Chelsea have won 7 of their last 8 home matches in the Premier League.	Chelsea win 1.23
Chelsea have scored at least 2 goals in 8 of their last 9 home matches in the Premier League.	Over 1.5 goals 1.17
There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Chelsea's last 3 games in the Premier League.	Over 2.5 goals 1.58
Chelsea are undefeated in their last 5 matches against Hull in all competitions.	Chelsea win or draw 1.04
* Best odds for selected bets are shown

Prediction

• Chelsea welcome Hull City to Stamford Bridge for a repeat encounter of the 2009/10 opening day of the season, where the Blues secured a 2-1 win on their way to landing the Premier League title.
• Romelu Lukaku has been José Mourinho's main striker in pre-season and the young Belgian looks set to start under the Portuguese tactician ahead of Fernando Torres and Demba Ba.
• Andre Schürrle could start also, with Juan Mata a doubt, but fellow new arrival Marco van Ginkel is unlikely to feature in the starting XI.
• Hull have strengthened over the summer with a number of Premier League experienced signings, while the acquisition of Allan McGregor will solidify the backline.
• Tom Huddlestone is set to make his Hull debut at Stamford Bridge, but Jake Livermore will be expected to start from the bench.
• Regardless, the quality running through the Chelsea ranks means a home win is the likely outcome.

Prediction:

Chelsea

3

0

Hull