Game Week 5 Predictions: Chelsea to beat Hull City

Chelsea vs Hull preview: Blues host unbeaten Tigers after the Leeds thrashing as Pedro and Palmer look to bounce back.

Chelsea will hope to bounce back in the league after last weekend's loss away to Arsenal. Can Hull City stop the Blues at Stamford Bridge? (Photo credit: TNT Sport)

 Chelsea vs Hull City

Stamford Bridge Stadium

3:00pm

Chelsea beat Leeds United 6-3 in midweek to surge into the next round of the League Cup. With no continental engagement this season for the Blues, driving through domestic tournaments is non-negotiable for Chelsea.

Hull City is the team many neutrals are choosing this season. Three games played, two wins, one draw, and three clean sheets so far. Head coach Sergej Jakirovic won the manager of the month award for August, and you wonder how confident the Tigers must be going into this one.

Chelsea is one of the few that many believe can stay toe-to-toe with Arsenal in the title race this season, but the Blues fell to the Gunners last weekend at the Emirates. It's not all gloom and doom yet; it's early days, and we can all relax and see as things unfold.

In the loss to the Gunners last weekend, Chelsea scored first but could have been battered if not for the presence of their goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez. The attack combined well, but Arsenal's defence was too resolute for Chelsea. Can Hull City put up such defiance?

Hull City held Aston Villa to a goalless draw. The Tigers could have won; from hitting the woodwork to Zion Suzuki's strong saves, they can go to Stamford Bridge and seek another away win, which will take them to the top of the log, for now at least.

Hull City doesn't have lots of good memories against the Blues. Saturday's game is an opportunity for the Tigers to prove they belong on the big stage. Starting the game ahead of Chelsea on the log counts for something; the Tigers will hope it stays that way at the end of the game.

The visitors still have some players missing, but their defensive core will be fit and available for this one. Mendy and the Nigerian defender, Semi Ajayi, will have it all to do against Chelsea's fluid attack, and it's a battle we'll love to see.

Chelsea will unleash Premier League Player of the Month Joao Pedro on the Tigers. The Brazilian was stifled at Arsenal last weekend; the former Watford and Brighton forward will hope to add to his two goals when Hull City visits on Saturday.

Cole Palmer is back to his best. The England playmaker came on in midweek to change the complexion of the game after Leeds United went 2-0 up. Morgan Rogers is another player we expect to see lighting up this fixture. It's an advantage for Chelsea from where we stand.

Verdict: Chelsea to win.