Preview: Chelsea vs. Hull City

Struggling Hull City could find themselves the victims of a Chelsea backlash when they travel to Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

The Blues lost their 21-match unbeaten start to the season last weekend as Newcastle United inflicted on them a third straight defeat at St James' Park.

They wasted little time in getting back to winning ways as they concluded their Champions League group-stage campaign with a 3-1 home victory over Sporting Lisbon.

Jose Mourinho's men will be seeded for Monday's last-16 draw, and the Portuguese was quick to remind everybody how strong a position Chelsea are also in domestically despite their Tyneside setback.

The Londoners still sit top of the table, three points clear of a resurgent Manchester City, and have their first Premier League opportunity to respond to the Newcastle defeat when the Tigers visit the capital.

Hull are sitting much less comfortably than their opponents, and dropped into the relegation zone for the first time in 18 months following their 0-0 draw at home to West Bromwich Albion last Saturday.

It was the eighth match in succession in which they have failed to win, and manager Steve Bruce admitted afterwards that he could sense a rare anxiety among the KC Stadium faithful come the final whistle.

Bruce has tinkered with different formations this season and could recall captain Curtis Davies and Scotland international Andrew Robertson to his starting XI if he chooses to revert to a 3-5-2 system.

Mohamed Diame is still sidelined and therefore either David Meyler or Stephen Quinn will continue in midfield. Nikica Jelavic could join Abel Hernandez up front after being benched for the Baggies stalemate.

Gaston Ramirez is available again after a ban, but Hatem Ben Arfa is unlikely to come into Bruce's thoughts, having being axed from two matchday squads since his early withdrawal against Manchester United.

Regulars Thibaut Courtois, Branislav Ivanovic, John Terry, Eden Hazard, Willian and Oscar will all return for Chelsea after being rested for European duty, but Cesc Fabregas misses out through suspension.

Ramires should take his place in midfield, with Diego Costa leading the Blues line for the second time in three days. Midweek goalscorers John Obi Mikel and Andre Schurrle will have to settle for places on the bench.

Chelsea have not lost any of their last 10 matches against the Tigers - a run which stretches back to 1988.

Chelsea:

Form in Premier League: WWWDWL Form in all competitions: WWDWLW

Possible starting lineup: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Matic, Ramires; Hazard, Oscar, Willian; Costa

Hull:

Recent form: LLLLDD

Possible starting lineup: McGregor; Elmohamady, Chester, Dawson, Davies, Robertson; Huddlestone, Livermore, Meyler; Jelavic, Hernandez

Sports Mole says: 3-0