Chelsea vs Hull Preview: Team News & Prediction

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Chelsea have been brilliant to watch and that continued in midweek as they welcome still unbeaten newly-promoted Hull City to Stamford Bridge.

Kick-off date/time: 12 September 2026 at 3:00 pm

How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / USA – USA Network

How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / USA – DirecTV Stream

Chelsea preview: Entertaining Chelsea

Chelsea come into this one on the back of a thrilling 6-3 defeat of Leeds United in the third round of the EFL Cup in midweek, with The Blues having been 2-0 down early on in the second half before blowing The Whites away at Stamford Bridge.

Xabi Alonso’s reign in charge of Chelsea has produced 26 goals in just five matches. They did succumb to a hard-fought 2-1 loss to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium last week, having taken an early lead in that one via Morgan Rogers.

Hull preview: Unbeaten Hull

Having gained promotion back to the top-flight via the Championship play-offs, Hull City have started this season with two victories and a draw as well as 18 new signings as Sergej Jakirovic looks set to ensure The Tigers remain competitive.

After a 2-0 defeat of Manchester United and then a 1-0 victory over Coventry City, Hull then held Aston Villa to a goalless draw last weekend before succumbing to a 1-0 loss to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light in the EFL Cup in midweek.

Chelsea team news: Still no Caicedo

Xabi Alonso has said he is unwilling to take a risk on the still unfit Moises Caicedo with both Marco Palestra and Emmanuel Emegha also remaining sidelined.

Chelsea made changes in midweek before bringing on key men at half-time, such as Reece James, Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto and Morgan Rogers – and they are all expected to start here.

Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Martinez; Acheampong, Lacroix, Fofana; Neto, James, Lavia, Hato; Palmer, Rogers; Pedro

Unavailable: Palestra (Injured), Henderson (Injured), Caicedo (Fitness), Emegha (Injured)

Questionable: 

Hull team news: Several issues

Hull City have been dealing with several injury issues throughout the season and they are now without Japan international midfielder Hidemasa Morita, too.

Brooke Norton-Cuffy and Tim Iroegbunam are working to full fitness, while fellow ‘deadline day’ signing Ilyas Ansah is set to be sidelined for around six weeks or so.

Predicted XI (3-4-3): Tzolakis; Ajayi, Egan, Mendy; Coyle, Slater, Gourna-Douath, Giles; Stroud, McBurnie, Belloumi

Unavailable: Butland (Injured), Hughes (Injured), Morita (Injured), Gyabi (Injured), Matazo (Injured), Ansah (Injured)

Questionable: McNair (Injured), Norton-Cuffy (Injured), Iroegbunam (Fitness)

Chelsea vs Hull prediction

Chelsea will be expected to come out on top here. Hull have been very strong defensively, as well as the case in their play-off campaign, which is a change from how they played for the majority of last season, highlighting the flexibility and pragmatism of Jakirovic. This is a game where they could be drawn out by Chelsea but the hosts appear capable of outscoring nearly everyone – perhaps other than the defending champions.

Chelsea vs Hull tip: Chelsea to score two or more goals