football.london predicts the Chelsea line-up that Xabi Alonso will field in the Blues' fourth Premier League fixture of the season with Hull City visiting Stamford Bridge this afternoon
Cole Palmer
Cole Palmer is set to return to the Chelsea line-up versus Hull City(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA)
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Xabi Alonso has insisted there will be zero indications of complacency from Chelsea as the Blues welcome high-flying Hull City to Stamford Bridge.
After being promoted to the Premier League last season, the Tigers have started life back in the top-flight in exceptional fashion. After the opening three matches of the campaign, Hull are on seven points and are yet to concede a goal in the league.
The free-scoring Chelsea, though, will be determined to break down the Hull wall in west London later today. Alonso is expecting a really difficult challenge when the Tigers come to town and during his pre-match press conference on Friday, he promised he or the players will not show any signs of over-confidence.
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He said: "Tomorrow we are prepared, we are ready. There is not going to be complacency from us.
"We have full respect for them and we know that it will be hard to beat them. If we do things well, if we complete and play at our level, I think we will have a good chance."
Alonso will have to figure out a way to overcome the Premier League's surprise package without four Chelsea players. Moises Caicedo remains absent due to injury, as do Marco Palestra, Emmanuel Emegha and Jordan Henderson.
With that being said, football.london predicts how Alonso will set up his Chelsea side for this afternoon's clash.
Emiliano Martinez
Mike Penders featured on Wednesday night in the 6-3 win over Leeds United in the Carabao Cup, but Martinez is the No.1 and set to come back into the side this afternoon.
Wesley Fofana
It will be interesting to see if Alonso goes with a three or four at the back system this afternoon given Hull are expected to operate a five-back. For the sake of this article, we've gone with a 3-4-3 formation. Fofana could start on the right-hand side of a centre-back trio.
Maxence Lacroix
Lacroix seems to be a staple in Alonso's side at the time of writing. The Frenchman has enjoyed an impressive start to life at Stamford Bridge.
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Levi Colwill
Colwill returned to the Chelsea side earlier in the week after suffering a knock pre-Arsenal. The Cobham graduate is expected to keep his place on the left-hand side of a back three.
Pedro Neto
Neto 's early-season form prompted Chelsea to reward him with new-and-improved terms on a fresh contract. The Portugal international could be used as a right wing-back if Alonso does go with a 3-4-3.
Reece James
James is set to continue his run in midfield. Caicedo remains absent meaning Alonso is short on midfield options. Valentin Barco impressed on Wednesday but the Argentine might come out of the side after completing the full 90 minutes.
Romeo Lavia
Lavia was left out of the squad for the win over Leeds but Alonso confirmed on Friday that the Belgian midfielder is okay and good to go this afternoon.
Jorrel Hato
Pep Chavarria got the nod on the left-hand side against Leeds but Hato could return for the Premier League clash today. Hato has impressed Alonso in the opening few matches of the campaign.
Cole Palmer
Palmer has been exceptional under Alonso so far. The England international looks like he is playing with the freedom of the attacking third once again and it's so refreshing to see. You'd back him to continue his fine form this afternoon.
Cole Palmer
Cole Palmer has been in fine form for Chelsea recently(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA)
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Morgan Rogers
Similar can be said about Rogers. The former Aston Villa attacker continued his superb start to life in west London with four assists on Wednesday night.
Joao Pedro
The Brazilian was confirmed as the Premier League's Player of the Month for August on Friday. Joao Pedro has scored twice and provided the same number of assists so far this season and will be desperate to add to that later today.
Predicted Chelsea XI (3-4-3): Martinez; Fofana, Lacroix, Colwill; Neto, James, Lavia, Hato; Palmer, Rogers, Joao Pedro