Chelsea will be looking to return to winning ways in the Premier League when they welcome Hull City to Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.
After beginning life under new boss Xabi Alonso with high-scoring victories over Fulham and Brighton, the Blues suffered their first defeat of the season in a 2-1 loss away at London rivals Arsenal last Sunday.
However, Chelsea put that defeat behind them at the first attempt by staging a stunning comeback to claim a barnstorming 6-3 win over Leeds in the EFL Cup on Wednesday night.
Back on home turf this weekend, the Blues will be looking to carry that momentum into their meeting with Hull.
As for the Tigers, they have emerged as the Premier League’s early surprise package, picking up seven points from their opening three games following last weekend’s goalless draw with Aston Villa.
However, Sergej Jakirovic’s side tasted defeat for the first time this season when suffering a narrow 1-0 loss away at Sunderland in the EFL Cup on Tuesday night.
How the bookies view it: Blues to cruise to victory
Hull’s unbeaten start looks set to come under serious threat at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea as short as 2/9 at bet365.
The Tigers are towering 9/1 outsiders, while the draw can be backed at 19/4.
Head to head: Blues rule the roost
Chelsea boast an imposing record in this fixture, triumphing in 35 of the 49 meetings between the clubs across all competitions, compared with just four victories for Hull.
The Blues have also won 13 of the last 15 encounters and are unbeaten throughout that sequence, including a 4-0 FA Cup triumph last season. Another 4-0 victory for Chelsea here can be backed at 11/1 with bet365.
Players to watch: Another goal for Cole?
Cole Palmer has found the net in two of Chelsea’s opening three Premier League games of the season and came off the bench to bag a brace and inspire the Blues’ midweek comeback against Leeds. The 4/5 available on the Chelsea ace to score anytime on Saturday therefore looks good value.
Oliver McBurnie likes to throw his weight around when spearheading Hull’s attack. The Scotsman has both committed and drawn a foul in each of the Tigers’ opening three league games, so a repeat of that combination looks worth taking at 20/21 on bet365.
Predicted line-ups
Chelsea boss Alonso rotated his squad in midweek but is expected to recall his regular starters on Saturday. Jordan Henderson remains out through injury, while Emmanuel Emegha, Marco Palestra and Moises Caicedo will need to be assessed.
Hull have several players sidelined, including Charlie Hughes, Darko Gyabi, Hidemasa Morita, Jack Butland and Oscar Zambrano.
Chelsea: Martinez; Acheampong, Lacroix, Fofana; Neto, Lavia, James, Hato; Palmer, Rogers; Joao Pedro
Hull: Tzolakis; Coyle, Ajayi, Egan, Mendy, Giles; Belloumi, Slater, Gourna-Douath, Stroud; McBurnie
Anything else catch the eye?
Chelsea offer little appeal at such short odds, but backing the Blues to win alongside under 4.5 match goals boosts the price to a more attractive 4/5 at Ladbrokes.
Despite Chelsea’s involvement in several high-scoring contests this term, they are likely to meet a stubborn Hull team that will sit deep and offer little attacking ambition.
Only one of the Tigers’ opening three league games has produced over 1.5 goals, but Chelsea should possess enough quality to secure a hard-fought home win.
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