After a few days of rest following a Monday night game, Chelsea return to action in the FA Cup. The Blues ended a run of two league defeats by putting three past West Brom at Stamford Bridge.
Antonio Conte side’s take on Barcelona next midweek but considering the players have had a few days off, we could see a pretty strong lineup put forth by the manager. The FA Cup is the side’s most realistic chance of lifting silverware this season as beating Barcelona is going to be pretty tough.
The likes of Liverpool an Arsenal have already been knocked out of the Cup, so Chelsea could have favourable fixtures in the coming rounds.
The team put in a good performance against the Baggies and the biggest positive for the home fans was new signing Olivier Giroud’s combination with Eden Hazard. The two combined well for the first goal as Giroud’s hold-up play and deft touch resulted in Hazard being able to get his strike away.
Hull City, on the other hand, will be buoyed by their win over Nottingham Forest away from home. The win ended a terrible 9-game winless run which saw the Tigers drop into the relegation zone. They are still in danger but the FA Cup will be a welcome distraction. If they can manage a good result, it’ll help them confidence-wise in the league.
Chelsea have dominated games between the two sides, having won 8 of the last 10 meetings between them.
Team news
Ondrej Mazuch, Markus Henriksen, James Weir and Moses Odubajo are still out injured for Nigel Adkins’ side.
For Chelsea, we are unlikely to see David Luiz and Ross Barkley who have knocks. Alvaro Morata could get a start while Danny Drinkwater is expected to partner Cesc Fabregas in midfield. Willian came off the bench last Monday and he could play behind Morata.
New signing Emerson Palmieri is also in line to get his first start on the left.
Probable lineups
Chelsea: Caballero, Cahill, Rudiger, Azpilicueta, Moses, Fabregas, Drinkwater, Palmieri, Willian, Pedro, Morata
Hull City: Marshall, Clark, MacDonald, Dawson, Meyler, Irvine, Stewart, Toral, Diomande, Grosicki, Dicko
Odds
Anything other than a Chelsea victory just seems impossible given the gulf in quality between the two sides.
Chelsea: 1/5
Draw: 11/2
Hull City: 14/1