Liam Rosenior makes his return to Hull, but as Chelsea head coach, when the Blues travel to the MKM Stadium for their FA Cup meeting on Friday, February 13.
The hosts are doing incredibly well in the Championship and are on course to make the playoffs for a place in the Premier League next season.
However, they have a chance to progress in football’s oldest club competition if they can get past the Blues.
The new Chelsea boss would love a trophy in his first season at the club, and after losing out to Arsenal in the League Cup, this is a viable route to silverware.
Explore our Hull vs Chelsea betting tips below.
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Hull vs Chelsea prediction: A tough night for the visitors
Key stats
- Hull have won five of their last seven outings, but they did lose the last time out at home to Bristol City.
- Since Rosenior took over at the Blues, they have won seven out of 10 games, with their only two defeats coming against Arsenal.
- Chelsea have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last six matches in all competitions.
- Cole Palmer has now scored four goals in his last two games.
Correct score prediction: Hull 1-3 Chelsea
Having scored eight goals in their most recent five matches, Hull are more than capable of piercing the World Champions’ defence. The Tigers have only blanked in two of their last 10 fixtures, which may worry the travelling party. Chelsea, though, have found a new gear, with Palmer now coming to the party with his goal contributions. The Blues scored exactly three goals in four of their last six outings, making a case for it to happen again this weekend.
Pre-game odds and win probability: No surprises from the bookies
- HOME: 7/1 (8.00) – 12.5%
- DRAW: 9/2 (5.50) – 18.2%
- AWAY: 1/3 (1.33) – 75.0%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
This fixture feels like a mismatch on paper, but stranger things have happened in the FA Cup. However, it is no surprise to see that the bookmakers have given the home side almost no chance of pulling off a shocker on Friday night. Ladbrokes have rated a draw as more likely at 18.2% than a Hull win at 12.5%. It is up to Rosenior’s men to live up to the 75% chance that they have attached to them to win this game and progress in the cup.
We have more free betting tips for today to help you out with the best possible selections.
Most recent H2Hs: Blue dominance
Chelsea have not tasted defeat at the hands of Hull across any of their last 16 head-to-heads, going back to 1988. Their two most recent meetings were in this competition, where the Blues ran out victors both home and away. With eight triumphs in a row against these opponents, it is difficult to see anything but a win for the West Londoners.
Hull preview: Crooks, Ajayi headline absentees
Sergej Jakirovic will be without midfielder Matt Crooks and defender Semi Ajayi, who are both battling hamstring strains, the latter picking up the injury on international duty with Nigeria. Cody Drameh is ruled out with a thigh injury, while forward Mohamed Belloumi is likely to be on the sidelines.
Predicted lineup: Pandur; McNair, Egan, Hughes; Coyle, Slater, Lundstram, Giles; Gelhardt; Joseph, McBurnie
Last five matches
- Hull 2-3 Bristol City
- Hull 0-0 Watford
- Blackburn 0-1 Hull
- Hull 2-1 Swansea
- Preston 0-3 Hull
Chelsea preview: James boost for Rosenior
Last week, Reece James started modified training and running, but the captain did not feature against Leeds on Tuesday night. Rosenior alluded to the fact that James was unwell, which suggests he could return to the starting lineup for this FA Cup clash. Summer signing Jamie Gittens appears to have torn his hamstring, which rules him out for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Predicted lineup: Jorgensen; James, Fofana, Badiashile, Hato; Caicedo, Santos; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; Guiu
Last five matches
- Chelsea 2-2 Leeds
- Wolves 1-3 Chelsea
- Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
- Chelsea 3-2 West Ham
- Napoli 2-3 Chelsea
Player to watch: Joao Pedro
Under the guidance of Rosenior, Pedro has been playing like a man with a new lease on life. The Brazilian is certainly the manager’s forward of choice, and while he may be rotated here to enjoy some rest, he will likely feature off the bench.
Pedro has played nine games under the new boss, and he has found the back of the net six times in that run, although he has only started in seven of those fixtures.