CHELSEA vs Hull City: Preview
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Date: Saturday, 7 February
Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Chelsea go into today’s game against a Hull side in the bottom half of the table, five points off United and three behind Liverpool. We also go into the game off the back of a 2-0 defeat at Anfield and a defeat at home today could record our first back-to-back losses in 100 Premier League games.
The game will see the Premier League’s strongest attack against its weakest defence, with our 44 scored against their 46 conceded. We’ve also won twice as many games as Hull this season and our first Premier League meeting at the KC Stadium in October saw us come away with a 3-0 win.
Today’s games could see the introduction of our new loan signing and of Ricardo Quaresma, the Chelsea boss says “He is a player that has a different style than the other wingers, he is a man that sometimes dribbles more than the other players that we have here. That is the characteristic of Quaresma and in our team now, I think it is important we have one player with this characteristic.”
On squad news for Chelsea, we still have Michael Essien and Joe Cole missing long term and unfortunately for our defence, both Ricardo Carvalho and now Petr Cech miss this game.
Hull don’t seem to be faring too well on the injury front either though, with Nick Barmby, Anthony Gardner, Daniel Cousin and Jimmy Bullard all missing through injury, whilst Bernard Mendy misses out through suspension.
CLUB FORM
CHELSEA
Chelsea have won four of their last five in all competitions and haven’t suffered back-to-back defeats since May 2006. We’ve also won 11 out of 13 games against the current bottom-half clubs, drawing the other two. Our current tally of a 48 point return from 24 games though, leaves us five points shy of where we were this time last season, although we still have the strongest attack in the Premier League this season and have a 100% record against the three promoted clubs. We go into this game 3rd in the table.
HULL
Hull started the season well, although their win against Boro back at the start of December is their only win in 15 Premier League games, since they’re previous four on the bounce. So, they’ve managed just two points out of the last 24 available and have lost their last three away games. And with the Premier League’s weakest defence this season, Hull have also failed to keep a clean sheet in 15 games, in fact, they’ve conceded in all but three of this season’s games. On the other hand, in the nine games where they’ve scored first, Hull haven’t lost.
KEY PLAYERS
CHELSEA
Nicolas Anelka – for me, if we’re going to get a result in this game, with both Ricardo Carvalho and Petr Cech missing, it’ll have to be all about our attack. I wouldn’t hold my breath when it comes to Didier Drogba putting any effort into a game these days, so my money will have to go on Nicolas Anelka.
HULL
Ian Ashbee – the no-nonsense Hull City midfielder could take advantage if the likes of Ballack or Deco don’t show up for this home game.
HEAD TO HEAD
Hull have never managed a win at Stamford Bridge and today sees their first visit since our last win over them at home in the old second division back in 1989, although they had beaten us a year earlier when we played them away to be fair. Mind you, with us beating them earlier this season away, let’s hope they don’t turn the tables this time.
Home and Away
League (inc PL): Chelsea 18 wins, Hull 4 wins, Draws 5
Prem: Chelsea 1 win, Hull 0 wins, Draws 0
At Chelsea Only
League (inc PL): Chelsea 11 wins, Hull 0 wins, Draws 2
Prem: N/A
THIS SEASON’S REVERSE
Hull City 0-3 Chelsea
Chelsea scorers: Lampard 3, Anelka 50, Malouda 75
29 October 2008 – Ref: Andre Marriner
PREDICTION
Oh god, I just don’t know anymore. I’d like to think this would be a routine home win but there’s no such thing at Stamford Bridge this season. I’m hoping Quaresma is some sort of miracle man for Chelsea although I won’t risk holding my breath. On the other hand, I’ll be praying Hilario isn’t tested too much! As for the outcome? I haven’t got a bloody clue.
TEAMS
CHELSEA (from): Hilario, Taylor, Ferreira, Bosingwa, A Cole, Terry, Alex, Ivanovic, Mancienne, Lampard, Ballack, Obi, Deco, Kalou, Drogba, Anelka, Stoch, Quaresma, Belletti, Malouda.
REFEREE
Lee Mason (Lancashire)
Surprised by the lack of confidence in your team. As a Hull City fan I can safely say we need to pick our game up massively to compete with the class you have. If we get amongst you we may pull off another of our surprising results but it will need a big off day on your part. and a marked improvement from our recent form.
I think this is a must-win for chelsea considering our last match performance at anfield.I really want to see quaresma coming on and producing some fantastic football for chelsea.I dont see hull getting anything from today’s game,but chelsea has to be on their guard,cos football this days are unpredictable.Up blues !
can some one please tell me why there is absolutely
nil intensity in our game and how players can not play for this team malouda and kalou are at best championship players surely we have youth players that can put the same effort in at least we would be giving potential a chance than potentially taking a chance chance every week that we will lose while carrying plAYERS WHO QUITE CLEARLY ARE NOT GOOD ENOUGH SOME ONE PLEASE TAKE THE PODIUM AND TELL US WHAT IS GOING ON INSTEAD OF WHAT IS GOING ON NOW