EPL Preview: Chelsea vs Hull City

EPL Preview: Chelsea vs Hull City, Stamford Bridge, London, Saturday 15th August, 12:45BST.

Premier League survivers Hull City travel to Community Shield holders Chelsea for the opening game of the 2009/10 Barclays Premier League season.

In the same fixture last season the Tigers battled for a credible 0-0 draw that saw the Chelsea boss Phil Scolari receiving his marching orders from Roman "Oligarch'' Abramovich for his team's failings.

The Blues will be without the services of their new signing Yuri Zhirkov. The Russian signed from CSKA Moscow is unlikely to play due to a knee injury along with England's Joe Cole and Portugal's Paulo Ferreira who are both out with knee complaints.

The Tigers boss Phil Brown will have to blood some of his new signings due to the absence of Club Captain Ian Ashbee, current record signing Jimmy Bullard and Australian Richard Garcia who are all out with knee injuries.

Jozy Altidore will possibly be on the Tigers bench for Saturday's clash. After playing 30 minutes for the US National team in the high energy encoounter in Mexico's Azteca Stadium it thought that the young talent will have to wait till mid-week to make his full Premiership debut.

However, it suspected that Hull City's other new signings Stephen Hunt and Kamel Ghilas will start for the Tigers.

Carlo Ancelotti's Chelsea team will be favourites to win after their win against the current Premier League Champions Manchester United in the FA Community Shield at Wembly Stadium.

The Italian who managed to stave off the advances of Manchester City's Mark Hughes for the services of John Terry will be hoping to get the 2009/10 campaign off to a flying start with three points at the expense of the Tigers.