Chelsea vs. Hull City: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview
Jose Mourinho is under pressure to ensure Chelsea get their title hunt back on track after seeing momentum derailed at Newcastle, with Hull City visiting Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Steve Bruce's side travel to west London as one of the most out-of-form outfits in the division, having failed to win any of their last eight matchups, but the promise of upsetting the Blues' run holds its own promise.
Chelsea have seen their lead at the summit reduced to just three points, but after a morale-boosting win over Sporting Lisbon in midweek, they can hope all recent signs of complacency are the last they'll see this term.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
Read on for a breakdown of the fixture's viewing details and match preview.
Date: Saturday, Dec. 13
Time: 3 p.m. GMT/10 a.m. ET
Live Stream: NBC Sports Live Extra (US)
TV Info: NBC Sports Network (US)
Steve Bruce Boosted by Attacking Reinforcements
After making their way to the FA Cup final last season, some may have expected a renewed bid for top-half success from Hull City this term, with Abel Hernandez an exciting summer purchase.
However, despite impressing for periods at the KC Stadium, the Uruguayan hasn't achieved the consistency he would have envisioned thanks to short injuries.
The Hull Daily Mail reports that he and Nikica Jelavic have achieved full fitness at an opportune time, though, and Bruce could start the pair together for the first time in 10 weeks on Saturday.
Bruce is quoted speaking highly of £10 million man Hernandez:
"It was clear what a good partnership they made. In my opinion, we’re a different proposition when they’re in the team together. They’ve got seven goals between them this season and since that injury it’s been difficult for us.
Before Jelavic injured his knee before the Arsenal game, they looked a real threat the two of them. They were terrific when they were playing together. We scored twice at Newcastle, twice against West Ham, twice at home to Manchester City. We looked dangerous.
"
It would be easy for the Stamford Bridge visitors to adopt a defensive approach when coming up against a team of the Blues' calibre, but taking the fight to Mourinho's men is a tactic that has potential of its own.
Bruce may do away with any defeatist fears and choose to throw his two front men in at the deep end this weekend in the hopes that it gives the league leaders issues of their own.
Tigers on the Prowl to Make Stamford Bridge History
Hull City have never defeated Chelsea on their own turf, according to Statto, having first made the trip to west London in 1905 and since going on to claim just two points against the Blues in league competition.
That record includes a total point haul of zero during the Premier League era. In fact, across 42 meetings in all competitions, the Tigers have scored just six goals against their capital foes.
Needless to say, it's a record Bruce is hoping to improve for the east Yorkshire outfit, but ex-Hull hero Dean Windass is quoted by the official Premier League website expressing concern over the Blues' threat:
"If they had won at St James' Park you would be saying, ‘Is this team going to be invincible this season?' but now that they have lost to Newcastle you're wondering about the backlash. Mourinho said the best team lost, so performance-wise Chelsea are playing well. It didn't go for them on Saturday and that happens in football.
You can't see Chelsea losing many home games. The only time you can see them perhaps getting beaten is if they are taking on the big sides like Manchester City at Stamford Bridge, but even then their record at home is phenomenal.
"
It's not a promising indicator of Hull's challenge when a respected club figure such as ambassador Windass speaks so lowly of their chances, but the Tigers will nonetheless hope to claw and scratch their way to a result.
It is true, however, that Saturday's hosts will have their tails up after being stung by Sunderland and Newcastle United of late. Losing to another underdog of this calibre may be one upset too far for Chelsea.
