New Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior travels to one of his former clubs, Hull City, on Friday night in their FA Cup fourth round tie.
Chelsea saw their four-game winning run in the Premier League somehow come to an end on Tuesday night, as they threw away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at home to newly-promoted Leeds United.
Despite that disappointment, Liam Rosenior has lost just two of his opening 10 games in charge of the Blues (W7-D1-L2), only suffering defeat to Arsenal home and away in their League Cup semi-final tie.
The first of those 10 games in charge for Rosenior came in the previous round of this competition, as they thrashed Championship side Charlton Athletic 1-5 at the Valley.
Hull City suffered just their second defeat from their last 12 Championship contests at the weekend, as they were beaten 2-3 at home to Bristol City.
Nevertheless, the Tigers remain in fourth position in the Championship table, only five points outside of the automatic promotion places.
Sergej Jakirovic’s hosts reached this round after knocking out Championship strugglers Blackburn Rovers on penalties following a goalless draw.
How the bookies view it: Chelsea favourites
As expected, Chelsea are expected to advance to the next round, with the Blues priced at just 3/10 to win inside 90 minutes and 1/7 To Qualify.
The Tigers are 7/1 underdogs to win inside regulation time, and 9/2 to advance to the next round.
Head to head: Blues dominance over the Tigers
Chelsea are unbeaten in each of their previous 16 meetings with Hull City in all competitions (W0-D2-L14), winning each of their last eight.
The Tigers’ last victory over Chelsea came back in October 1988 in the old Second Division.
Players to watch: In-form Joao to strike again
Liam Rosenior seems to be getting the best out of Joao Pedro, with the Brazilian scoring six goals across his nine appearances since the Englishman took over from Enzo Maresca.
That includes the opener in the Blues’ draw with Leeds United in midweek, and the 11/10 on offer at bet365 for the ex-Brighton attacker to score again on Friday night appeals to me.
Backed a player to find the net? Check our Goalscorer Betting guide to see how the markets work and where to find value.
Predicted line-ups:
Hull City will once again be without the injured Matt Crooks, Mo Belloumi, Dario Gyabi, Semi Ajayi and Eliot Matazo, whilst Cody Drameh is a doubt.
Chelsea are still without the injured Levi Colwill, Dario Essugo, Romeo Lavia and Jamie Gittens, whilst Tosin and Reece James are doubts.
Hull City: Pandur, McNair, Egan, Hughes, Coyle, Slater, Lundstram, Giles, Gelhardt, Joseph, McBurnie
Chelsea: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Chalobah, Badiashile, Hato, Santos, Caicedo, Neto, Palmer, Garnacho, Pedro
Anything else catch the eye?
Chelsea have been more of a goal threat since the arrival of Liam Rosenior as head coach, with the West London side firing in 24 goals across his opening 10 games in charge.
However, the Blues have kept just two clean sheets under the Englishman’s tutelage – and none in their last six – and I reckon they’ll struggle to keep out a Tigers side that are the third-highest scorers in the Championship.
Chelsea also conceded in the previous round away at Charlton, and the 10/11 on offer at Coral for Both Teams to Score appeals to me.
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