Chelsea host Hull City in a Premier League fixture at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, with the visitors’ well-organised start to life back in the top flight the standout subplot of an early-season clash between two of the division’s better performers so far.
Sergej Jakirovic’s side sit third in the table on seven points and are yet to concede a league goal this season — a run that, if extended on Saturday, would equal Manchester City’s 2015-16 record of four straight clean sheets to open a Premier League campaign, a feat no promoted club has ever managed.
Chelsea, fourth on six points, are looking to respond after their first defeat under Xabi Alonso, a 2-1 loss at Arsenal last weekend. They needed a stoppage-time turnaround inspired by substitutes Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto to beat Leeds United 6-3 in the EFL Cup in midweek, having trailed at half-time. It is the two clubs’ first top-flight meeting since January 2017, when Chelsea won 2-0 en route to that season’s title.
Chelsea vs Hull City – Match preview and team news
- Date: Saturday, 12 September 2026
- Kick-off: 15:00 BST
- Venue: Stamford Bridge
- Referee: Farai Hallam
- Last meeting: Chelsea 2-0 Hull City (Premier League, January 2017)
Team news
Chelsea
Jordan Henderson (wrist) and Emmanuel Emegha (muscle) remain sidelined, and Alonso has ruled out Moises Caicedo for this weekend, saying: “Let’s see for Brentford, but it’s not the moment to take the risk with him. Not yet.” Marco Palestra is also out. Romeo Lavia was rested rather than injured in midweek and is available, while Levi Colwill is set to continue in a back three after fitness fears were allayed.
Hull City
Ilyas Ansah, Jack Butland, Elliot Matazo, Darko Gyabi, Charlie Hughes and Hidemasa Morita are all unavailable through injury, while Tim Iroegbunam, Brooke Norton-Cuffy and Paddy McNair will be assessed before kick-off. Winger Sorba Thomas was involved in a car accident near the club’s training ground on Friday and, though uninjured, is expected to be left out of the squad. Nobel Mendy’s half-time substitution in midweek was precautionary, and he is set to start alongside Semi Ajayi and John Egan in defence.
Form
Chelsea
Chelsea have won their last two matches in all competitions after Wednesday’s comeback, though their defence remains a concern — they are without a clean sheet in 19 straight top-flight games and have conceded seven times in three league matches this season.
Hull City
Hull’s seven points from three games have come alongside a joint-league-high defensive record, with back-to-back wins over Manchester United and Coventry followed by a goalless draw against Aston Villa. Their unbeaten run in all competitions ended in midweek with a narrow EFL Cup exit at Sunderland.
Predicted lineups
Chelsea predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Martinez; Acheampong, Lacroix, Colwill; Neto, James, Lavia, Hato; Rogers, Palmer; Pedro
Hull City predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Tzolakis; Ajayi, Egan, Mendy; Coyle, Slater, Gourna-Douath, Giles; Belloumi, Stroud; McBurnie
How to watch Chelsea vs Hull City?
The match is not being shown live on television in the United Kingdom, with the 15:00 Saturday kick-off falling inside the traditional domestic blackout window.
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