Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Chelsea face Hull City this weekend at Stamford Bridge, with Xabi Alonso looking to put an end to their very poor recent record against recently-promoted Premier League sides.
The Blues are keen to get back to winning ways in the league after suffering defeat at the Emirates, putting an early dent in any title-winning credentials.
Hull are proving already they belong in the top flight though, taking seven points from their first three games including a victory over Manchester United.
Chelsea have zero wins in last four home games against newly-promoted sides
The Tigers can take great confidence from Chelsea’s recent home record against newly-promoted sides in the Premier League. They have no wins in their last four efforts, drawing three and losing one.
The Blues threw away leads to both Burnley and Leeds in West London last season, after suffering defeat at Stamford Bridge to high-flying Sunderland.
Before that, they could only fight back to pick up a 2-2 draw with Ipswich Town, and supporters will be hoping for a far easier time under Alonso against Hull.
It has been 78 years since Chelsea last went five consecutive home games against newly-promoted sides.
The Blues aren’t scheduled to face another promoted side at home until February, and they won’t want this peculiar record hanging over them for another five months.
Chelsea v Burnley - Premier League
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
The players who are going to start the game on Saturday became clearer after the EFL Cup tie against Leeds. Alonso had to turn to his bench to turn around a 2-0 deficit.
The front three have been in electric form this season, and it wasn’t until Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers entered the fray before they became free-flowing in attack.
The duo are set to join Joao Pedro in the frontline again, keeping the likes of Estevao Willian and Jamie Gittens waiting on the bench.
There is the option for Alonso to move away from the back three and start an extra attacker, however the presence of Pedro Neto in the wing-back role should be enough to get them past Hull.