(Picture) Strongest Chelsea Lineup To Face Hull City – Matic Returns, Fabregas Suspended

Chelsea slipped up for the very first time in the Premier League this season with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Newcastle on Saturday. A Papiss Cisse brace at St James’ Park brought Chelsea’s 14-game undefeated streak in the league to an end – allowing second-placed Man City to close the gap at the top of the standings to just three points. Chelsea would be looking to bounce back strongly this weekend against Hull City, after Jose Mourinho rested several of his first team starters against Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League.

Let’s put ourselves in the Portuguese’s shoes and pick his team for the visit of Hull City.

Goalkeeper – Thibaut Courtois

Courtois’ run of clean sheets was halted at St. James Park, but the Belgian No.1 will look to keep out a misfiring Hull City forward line at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Defence – Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta.

Mourinho has resisted the temptation to tinker with a rock solid backline, and the defeat at Newcastle shouldn’t change things too much. Ivanovic and Terry should both return after their rests in midweek in the Champions League, while the ever present Gary Cahill looks set to continue at the heart of the defence. Chelsea’s goal wasn’t breached in the three matches prior to Newcastle after Mourinho’s public criticism of his defence leaking cheap goals. And another watertight performance is exactly what the Portuguese manager would be asking for.

Midfield – Matic, Ramires, Willian, Oscar, Hazard.

Cesc Fabregas has been in sparkling form in midfield for the Blues, linking midfield and attack with consummate ease from his deeper role alongside the physical presence of Nemanja Matic who missed the game at Tyneside through suspension. Matic has lent that balance Chelsea required in midfield, breaking play and bringing the attackers into the game with his passing range. Although, Matic returns for the Hull clash, Fabregas picked up his fifth yellow card of the season and misses the tie giving the likes of Ramires and Mikel a chance in the first team. Given Mikel’s exploits in the midweek Champions League game against Sporting, Mourinho could hand over a starting place for Ramires.

Eden Hazard is having the time of his life in football at the moment, scoring goals for fun and a well rested Hazard could wreck havoc on a shaky Hull backline. The Belgian’s performances have catapulted the Blues to the top of the Premier League table and he should line up in a familiar attacking midfield threesome with Oscar and Willian, despite a fine display from the tireless Andre Schurrle on Wednesday.

Forward – Diego Costa

Mourinho insisted that while Chelsea need Costa, they play with the right mentality and give confidence to the other forwards. But there’s no denying the fact that a fit Diego Costa makes Chelsea a lethal option. Costa has lost his scoring touch in recent games, but an out-of-form Hull side is just what the Doctor ordered for the Spanish striker.