Chelsea Premier League Fixtures: 6 Early Must-Win Games for Jose Mourinho's Men

With the "Special One"—or should that now be the "Happy One"—having returned to the Stamford Bridge helm, 2012-13 Europa League winners Chelsea are expected to be in the title hunt next season.

The Blues experienced a strong second-half to last season under interim manager Rafa Benitez and eventually finished in third position, whilst they also won a major European competition for the second successive term, with Branislav Ivanovic's injury-time header beating Portuguese giants Benfica in Amsterdam.

However, whilst Benitez was never the most popular man in west London, Jose Mourinho unquestionably is. The man who led the club to back-to-back league titles during his first reign will have the full backing of the fans from the outset. Already a legend amongst the Chelsea faithful, title success in his first season back will only further cement his status.

If the London club are to challenge for the Premier League title in 2013-14, then they'll need to start the season well, laying down a marker to their rivals. Here's a look at six early must-win games for Mourinho's men.

(Screenshot via ESPNFC.com)

August 17: Hull City (Home)

The opening day of the season sees Chelsea welcome Hull City to Stamford Bridge.

The Tigers finished second in last season's championship, with former Sunderland and Wigan boss Steve Bruce leading them to promotion on a nail-biting final day.

Bruce showed a new-found tactical dexterity throughout the course of the campaign, utilising numerous different formations throughout, with 4-4-2, 4-5-1, 3-4-3 and 3-5-2 all present and accounted for.

However, this clash represents perhaps the biggest difference in technical quality on show during the Premier League's opening day, and the Blues supporters will be expecting them to romp to three points.

Jose Mourinho's side will want to hit the ground running, and they arguably couldn't have selected a better game with which to do so.

August 24: Manchester United (Away)

Having won the penultimate home game of Sir Alex Ferguson's reign towards the end of last season, Chelsea head to Old Trafford for the first home league game of new manager David Moyes.

All eyes will be on Manchester, and this may just be the best time to be meeting the reigning Premier League winners, who will still be in something of a transitional stage under their new boss.

Will they be firing on all cylinders under the methods of a new manager after so long under their old one?

As such, whilst it is by no means a "must-win" coming as early in the season as it does, Mourinho and his side can make a real statement by dominating proceedings during this early-season clash.

Leave with all three points and they'll really set the cat amongst the pigeons.

September 28: Tottenham Hotspur (Away)

With the mentor heading across London to take on his former protege, expect White Hart Lane to be rocking when the two Portuguese tacticians do battle.

The Blues won a storming contest early last season 4-2, whilst the duo also played out a late-season cracker at Stamford Bridge, eventually settling for a 2-2 draw.

A big season is expected of Spurs under Andre Villas-Boas, and they may even have their own hopes of being in with a title shout, let alone a top-four finish, come the end of 2013-14.

But Chelsea have a fantastic record over the course of the past 15 years against the Lilywhites, and Mourinho and his players will be keen to show just who rules the roost in London when these two sides meet.

October 19: Cardiff City (Home)

Welsh club Cardiff City, led by manager Malky Mackay, arrive in the Premier League having won the championship based on their ability to do the necessary and consistently eke out results last season.

With Craig Bellamy in their lineup, a player who always guaranteed a hostile reception at Stamford Bridge, the second-tier champions could well be nothing other than lambs to the slaughter however.

Mourinho's pride for many years was a tremendous unbeaten home record—indeed, he has never lost a home league match as Chelsea manager—a further three points and powerful showing of domination should fully display the Blues title credentials as the season starts to settle into its rhythm following October's international break.

October 26: Manchester City (Home)

2011-12 Premier League winners Manchester City visit the Bridge on October 26, led by the man who was unceremoniously dumped by Real Madrid in 2010 for Jose Mourinho: Manuel Pellegrini.

A wonderfully astute tactician in his own right, the City hierarchy see the Chilean as a definite upgrade on former boss Roberto Mancini and someone who can fully harness the wonderful talents of their playing squad.

The Citizens' visit to London will be Chelsea's first major test on home soil and, assuming all goes to plan, could well be one of the games of the season.

It'll certainly make for interesting viewing and may potentially offer an early glimpse as to the destination of the 2013-14 Premier League title.

November 23: West Ham United (Away)

Another London derby, the Hammers shocked their rivals with a powerful second-half display early in the Rafa Benitez reign last season, running out as somewhat surprising 3-1 winners.

Sam Allardyce's side had a solid first season back in the top-flight last time round, and they'll doubtless be looking for further improvement in their second season.

A trip to Upton Park will be a test of Chelsea's resolve against a side who, for all their aerial prowess and physical power, can also play some decent football when they so desire.

It'll be a day for Chelsea players to stand up and be counted and to prove that they have the mental fortitude necessary to be title contenders come the end of the campaign.