Chelsea predictions: Hopefully paper Tigers, better not be any cowardly lions
The last time Chelsea played Hull City ended in a 4-0 win for the Blues in the 2017/18 FA Cup. Our writers are not that optimistic, but a comfortable clean sheet should be in the cards.
Chelsea need a confidence and mojo boost, and Hull City may have to be paper tigers in front of their own fans so the Blues can head into a demanding run of games with something resembling top-four form and belief.
Barrett Rouen: Hull City 0 – 3 Chelsea. At some point Chelsea are going to keep a clean sheet through sheer force of embarrassment. It won’t be good for Kepa Arrizabalaga’s case that Willy Caballero will start and be the one who gets it.
I have no reason or logical explanation for the three goals considering Tammy Abraham is injured, but Callum Hudson-Odoi will pop in with one and the rest of the team will play like they are bloody well paid to, hopefully. SMH.
Olaoluwa Nwobodo: 0 – 3. Chelsea looked in preseason like they would not struggle against lower tier teams, and that still holds true. Seeing as it’s a cup tie against Chelsea, Hull City can be expected to play as if they have nothing to lose, because they do.
The Blues will come out comfortable winners with Hudson-Odoi probably getting a goal. Michy Batshuayi will get a chance to regain his confidence, which he’ll need to have through the roof if he’s going to be starting in the Premier League.
Scott Brant: 0 – 2. I don’t know what to predict anymore, this team has me so confused on what to expect it’s mind-boggling. But I will go with a lower scoring affair for an FA Cup match that should be a breeze. Chelsea will struggle to score as they have for the last couple months, and without Tammy Abraham it’s hard to predict where the goals will come from, but I’ll say Callum Hudson-Odoi and Batshuayi.
Varun Dani: 0 – 4. Hull will help Chelsea blow some steam, as Frank Lampard will rotate in abundance. Clinical finishing seems to be the BLues’ biggest problem and this is the perfect match to regain their skill, especially with the run of fixtures that comes next.
Vansh Ambashta: 1 – 2. Predicting anything at this moment is difficult. Inconsistency has become Chelsea’s second name and it is nearly impossible to tell what they will do next. Hudson-Odoi and Jorginho to score for as they manage just enough to get the Blues over the line.
Nate Hofmann: 1 – 1. Are Hull that much worse than some of the sides Chelsea have struggled against this season? Probably not. Hull’s best chance will be if they can pull a Newcastle – or a 10-man Arsenal – by just defending until Chelsea get tired or bored, and then hitting them with a sucker punch.
Goals, goals, goals. Three goal-related things to look for against Hull City. light
Lampard is sure to rotate the squad for this one, which will either serve as a refreshing change of pace or a confused and disjointed mess. Expect the first half to be the former, and the second half to be the latter. See you at Stamford Bridge for the replay!
Kevin Peacock: 1- 2. Hull City may well fancy their chances of beating Chelsea. Frank Lampard will know that, and drilled into the players that this will be no walkover.
With Michy Batshuayi taking on the responsibility of goalscorer, we must hope his touch matches his enthusiasm. The magic of the FA Cup will surely allow Hull a goal against whoever starts between the sticks for Chelsea. Somehow, though, Chelsea get the job done with Batshuayi getting both goals as he steps up playing a team a step down.
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Abhishek Pancholi: 0 – 5. Academy day on the road, with the yoof running riot against the paper tigers of Hull. Caballero will keep a clean sheet to pile the pressure on Arrizabalaga, while Batshuayi will continue to underwhelm.