The capital giants ruined their own excellent run from the season before last by sacking Maresca around New Year. Without him, they eventually dropped to tenth place. A new manager, Xabi Alonso, arrived over the summer, and the squad was rebuilt once again. The Spaniard began with victories, beating Luton in the League Cup and Fulham and Brighton in the Premier League. They then took the lead against Arsenal but eventually lost. They subsequently defeated Leeds in the League Cup.
The Hull club won the Championship play-offs in the spring and have surprised many people at the start of their Premier League campaign. First, they beat Manchester United 2-0, then, in a battle between newcomers, they narrowly defeated Coventry 1-0. They kept a clean sheet against Aston Villa, although that match ended 0-0. In the League Cup, after beating Stoke City over the summer, they then lost 0-1 to Sunderland.
The London stars have been scoring 2.67 goals per game while conceding 2.33 with different goalkeepers in place. The Premier League newcomers are averaging one goal per match and have yet to concede.
Head to Head matches: Chelsea vs Hull City
The capital giants have won all nine of the last nine meetings, including the most recent encounter in February.
With all due respect to the newcomers, who have already produced a couple of surprises, they have no chance here. We are backing the hosts to win with a -1.5-goal handicap (odds – 1.62).
Chelsea vs Hull City: key statistics and trends
Chelsea have won four of their last five matches
100% of Chelsea’s matches have featured goals from both teams, with an average total of 5.0 goals per game
Hull City have won three of their last five matches
None of Hull City’s matches have featured goals from both teams, with an average total of 1.0 goals per game
Chelsea vs Hull City: Possible starting lineups
Chelsea play in a 1-3-4-2-1 formation (possible lineup): Martinez – Colwill, Lacroix, Fofana – Hato, Lavia, Gusto, Pedro Neto – Rogers, Palmer – Joao Pedro
Hull City play in a 1-5-4-1 formation (possible lineup): Tzolakis – Giles, Coyle, Mendy, Egan, Ajayi – Stroud, Morita, Slater, Belloumi – McBurnie
