HULL City have lost their last nine matches in all competitions against Chelsea and have not beaten the West London outfit in 17 meetings since October 1988.
But woe betide anyone who thinks they will head to Stamford Bridge - a venue where they have never won in 23 attempts – with a sense of trepidation on Saturday.
They will certainly have a healthy respect for what they face, but won't feel under undue pressure either. A magnificent haul of seven points from their opening three Premier League matches helped explain why.
Although Sergej Jakirovic is the first to acknowledge that this is likely to be their hardest test to date against a Blues side who put six goals past Leeds United in 41 second-half minutes in Wednesday's Carabao Cup tie.
Hull City manager Sergej Jakirovic ahead of the Carabao Cup third round match at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland. Picture date: Tuesday September 8, 2026.placeholder image
Hull City manager Sergej Jakirovic ahead of the Carabao Cup third round match at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland. Picture date: Tuesday September 8, 2026.
The Hull chief said: "No pressure. We have seven points, which is good.
"We didn't concede (in the league yet), which is excellent.
"I also know that a lot of teams will be very motivated to score against us, which is normal. It is just about tactical discipline.
"No matter what is going on on the pitch, we keep our focus. We have our tactical plan and we will try to show this on the pitch.
Hull City winger and former Huddersfield Town man Sorba Thomas, pictured in his time at Stoke City. (Image: Charlotte Tattersall/Getty Images)placeholder image
Hull City winger and former Huddersfield Town man Sorba Thomas, pictured in his time at Stoke City. (Image: Charlotte Tattersall/Getty Images)
"It is a new challenge. We will try to play even better than these three rounds. I expect in every game that we grow there. It is a great experience for us.
"Now we have three games behind us. Still, we can play better. We can improve a lot of things in all moments of the play. We will see."
If City are to achieve their aims of surviving in the big time in 2026-27, then it is highly likely that being strong in terms of their attacking set-plays will be imperative.
That is where deadline-day signing Sorba Thomas should help their cause and it is one of the main reasons why the East Yorkshire outfit stumped up a fee which could rise to £10.5million.
The former Huddersfield Town winger and dead-ball specialist, who has been on the club's radar before, was the only Championship player in double figures for both goals and assists last term.
Jakirovic commented: "I don't have any doubt about Sorba because he made a difference in the Championship (at Stoke).
"He is a left winger and we can use him inside like a left (sided) number 10. He knows football. He is very good in delivery and his end product is good. Also, he has very good set-pieces.
"He is sharp and has speed. Also, in defence, he is very responsible. I think he suits us a lot. Like always, I hope he can help us."
Brooke Norton-Cuffy is available this weekend after a minor calf issue.
John Egan, who picked up a knock at Sunderland, is also fine, while Tim Iroegbunam is pushing for a debut after shrugging off a pre-season injury picked up at former club Everton.
Jakirovic added: "He (Norton-Cuffy) felt his calf after the match against Aston Villa. The next day we sent him on a scan and the scan showed there was nothing."