please log in to view this image Chelsea vs Hull City Barclays Premier League Stamford Bridge, London Kick Off - 4:00pm please log in to view this image Back to Premier League action, Hull City fans will be pleased to have witnessed the shrewd and very promising transfer acumen by Steve Bruce. Premier League experience brought in for cheap such as Maynor Figueroa, Danny Graham, Curtis Davies and Jake Livermore added to the marquee signing of Tom Huddlestone. The City players will relish the chance to face Chelsea and will have some points to prove live on Sky cameras. There's debate amongst which players and which formation Bruce will start with, having seen his favoured 3-5-2 used along with 4-3-3 and 4-4-2. Sone Aluko is back from his injury and will play his first competitive League game for over 7 months. There is only Stephen Quinn who looks to be out for the Chelsea game and no other injury doubts. 'The Special One' has returned to Chelsea after leaving Spanish giants Real Madrid much to the delight of the fans. Tipped by many to win the Premier League Title this Season, José Mourinho has a weight of expectation especially with notorious chip-chop and change owner Roman Abramovich. Chelsea's biggest signing so far is the £18M capture of German winger/forward André Shurrle from Bayern Leverkusen. Constantly in the papers being linked to England and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney seems to have put a stop on the Transfer business. The threats from Chelsea come from everywhere with the likes of Eden Hazard, Juan Mata, Oscar, Torres/Ba/Lukaku (depending on who starts) & Frank Lampard etc shows the strength and quality of this Chelsea side. Analysis This is probably the best time to play Chelsea at Stamford Bridge IMO. The team will still be adapting to Mourinho's style of play, the new signings need to bond and our players should be full of confidence following Promotion (especially in the way we achieved it!). This should be an all out, 'nothing to lose' approach and go for the attack. Surprise them and show the rest of the League what we have to offer. I'm expecting Huddlestone to sit in the defensive midfield role with Livermore & Aluko as attacking midfielders. Davies, Chester & Figueroa as the back 3 with Brady and Elmo on the wings. Obviously leaving Graham and Sagbo as the forwards (McGregor in goal too obviously). Anything from these games are bonuses so there'd be no point in sitting back and inviting pressure, I hope to see a fearless, attack-minded Hull City. COME ON YOU 'ULL! Interesting Facts - Hull City have never won a competitive fixture at Chelsea in a total of 19 attempts (Drawn 5, Lost 14). - Chelsea are unbeaten against Hull City in 4 Premier League matches (2 Wins, 2 Draws) - Hull last beat Chelsea in a competitive fixture back in 1988 (3-0 Home win). - Chelsea have a Premier League record 44 points on the opening day of the Season. - 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. - Hull City won 21 of the 23 Championship matches in which they opened the scoring (W21, D1, L1).
Great to see the return of the match preview Candy! I think we'll score first, but Chelsea will come back to win. COYH
I've actually missed doing them in all honesty, and it's needed to get people focused back on the Season rather than the obvious topic. I don't mind losing to Chelsea away, as long as we gave it our all and don't lose with a whimper.
Chelsea fan here, and I think we will smash you at the Bridge sorry! Newly promoted teams never get away easily at Chelsea. However, I am definitely backing you lot to survive this season! One little fact though - Fernando Torres' last hat trick came in the 2011/2012 season against QPR when we won 6-1. Yes, he has scored a hat trick for us!
****ing BBC... If anyone has watched Hull City properly, they'd know our defence is our best asset. We have been amongst the lowest scoring sides in the Championship for 3 Seasons running but we manage to get wins by defending really well. I think 2/3 goals is the most Chelsea will score IMHO.
Cant see anything other than a Chelsea win here to be honest. Your rationale for it being the best time to play us is that the squad will need to get used to playing his way, but he has managed half the squad before! Also our new players will need time to bond together? Haven't you guys bought half a new team? Will they not also need time to bond together? You have a decent team, and a manager who knows the PL. If you can gel, you can stay up. But I think 3 points will be coming our way tomorrow! Who knows though, this is football, and anything can happen.
Maybe true, but if you attack us full on it will be very hard defending against the likes of Ramires and Hazard on the counter. I expect a win for us, but not one that's not hard worked for.
I think you must have a bad memory Varier2. Do you remember the game, our first ever away game in the Prem, at your place when we lost 2-1 4 mins into stoppage time? Do you remember the next seasons 0-0 draw at your place? How then do you come to the assumption that you will hammer us ffs? I don't think we will win, but who knows. Its a big game for your lot with your former manager returning but it is equally a big game for us on our return to the Prem. I hate people making assumptions like this but I will accept your good wishes (if that's what they are) for the rest of the season.
Let's face it, if you don't get all 3 points on Sunday then Abramovich will start his search for Jose's successor immediately.
Great work Candy ! This is a head and heart match Head says 3-1 Chelski Heart says 1-1 Come on you ULLLLLLLL
As long as we put up fight,(and i think we will) i don't mind. Kamil Zayatte just headed a nice goal for the Wendy's v Tws
I think we can make it a difficult afternoon for Chelsea but think that their class will tell eventually. 2-1 Chelsea win. As long as we give a good account of ourselves then I don't think City fans can grumble.
Am I not allowed to be confident in my teams abilities? I genuinely think we will win by a couple of goals. That's not disrespectful to your team in any way, I just have a renewed sense of optimism in Chelsea this season. I tend not to use past records in my judgements. Our team is dramatically different from the last time we played Hull.
Our first ever away game in the Premier League was at Blackburn. And the 0-0 draw was in our first season. The 2-1 loss was our first game of the second season.
you so called 'FANS'? who are you supporting? we will WIN tomorrow! a cheeky 1 - 0 0 - 0 at half time and aluko to get the winner 15 mins from time show these southern ****ing puffs just how good we really are!
Hull City. I think all of us would love City to win, but at the same time one has to be realistic in their thoughts. Aside from Erik, I don't think anyone has said we'll get a tonking and many expect us to make a game of it against Chelsea.
Our first ever away game in the PL was Blackburn 1-1, We played Chelsea first game of our 2nd season & lost 2-1 to a grubby Drogma goal. It was 0-0 in our first season. Great preview Candy Man, excellent effort. I've backed a 2-2.
