Chelsea V Hull Barclays Premier League Match 18 -August 2013.Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho could give debuts to new signings Andre Schurrle and Marco van Ginkel as he returns to the Premier League at home to Hull.
Cesar Azpilicueta and Victor Moses had long flights while on international duty in midweek so may not start.Watch Chelsea V Hull Live, Watch Chelsea V Hull Live Stream, Watch Chelsea V Hull Free Live Stream, Watch Chelsea V Hull Online, Watch Chelsea V Hull Online Free, Chelsea V Hull Live, Chelsea V Hull live stream Online.
Hull could give debuts to new recruits Allan McGregor, Curtis Davies, Maynor Figueroa, Danny Graham, Yannick Sagbo, Tom Huddlestone and Jake Livermore.
Stephen Quinn misses out with a hamstring problem.
MATCH PREVIEW
Before previewing the game, allow me to get something off my chest. "Hull City Tigers" ??? Please, Mr Allam - have a word with yourself. In a season when Hull need everyone pulling together, the last thing that's needed is upsetting supporters by meddling with 109 years of history.
And so to business.
LAWRO'S PREDICTION
Image of Mark Lawrenson Mark Lawrenson Football analyst
"Jose Mourinho returning to Stamford Bridge is an undoubtedly big lift for Chelsea. You cannot question his record as a manager and he is an outstanding coach. Going back to the scene of your former glories does not always work out, though."
Read Lawro's full prediction and score
A special day as Stamford Bridge welcomes the 'Special One' home. A month short of six years after leaving, Jose Mourinho is back in the home dugout of the club that he's loved (and been loved by) the most.
In pre-season it's been almost as though he never left. Whilst we all get used to seeing Messrs Moyes and Pellegrini sport their new crests, Mourinho just looks right. The reception that greets his arrival on the touchline will be one of the must-see moments of the weekend.
He's inherited a frighteningly strong squad and could have the luxury of making five or six changes without weakening the team for Wednesday's re-arranged visit of Aston Villa.
New signings Schurrle and van Ginkel and returning loan stars Lukaku and De Bruyne only increase the attacking threat of a team that scored a club record 147 goals last season. Torres, Ba, Lampard, Mata, Moses - maybe Rooney to come? Breaking 147 may be possible after all.
For Hull it's an exciting start to their second top-flight adventure, but not a game Steve Bruce will be just glad to get out of the way. After all, he led Sunderland to a 3-0 win the last time he visited the Bridge as a boss.
Without necessarily 'parking the bus', it'll be a side that doesn't take too many risks in game one - with the top level nous of Tom Huddlestone in front of the defence an important addition this week.
They didn't score too many goals in the Championship last season but were tight defensively - often playing three at the back with wing backs. It's a system that didn't work in the Premier League for Manchester City last season. Could it for Hull? That's Hull - CITY.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Hull have never won a competitive game at Chelsea in 19 attempts (D5, L14).
Chelsea are unbeaten in the four Premier League meetings between the sides (W2, D2).
Hull last won a competitive fixture against Chelsea in October 1988 (3-0 at home).
Chelsea
Chelsea have won a Premier League-record 44 points on the opening weekend of the season.
The Blues have won 12 and drawn two of their last 14 opening fixtures, scoring 36 goals and conceding just 14.
Chelsea have lost just three of the last 73 games against newly-promoted teams.
Last season, Frank Lampard became the first player to score 10 or more league goals in 10 consecutive Premier League seasons.
Fernando Torres scored a hat-trick for Liverpool against Hull City in September 2009.
Jose Mourinho has the highest win percentage in Premier League history (70%) among managers to have been in charge for at least one season. He also has the best win percentage of any of the 14 Chelsea managers who have been in charge for more than 100 league and cup games (67%).
Hull City
Hull's last away victory on the opening day came in 2002, when they triumphed 3-1 at Exeter in the fourth tier.
The Tigers scored 61 league goals last term, fewer than any other side that finished in the top half of the Championship, and five fewer than relegated Peterborough.
They won 21 of the 23 Championship matches in which they opened the scoring (W21, D1, L1).