Early Saturday KO for us, a good chance to put pressure on our rivals with 3 points in the bag and nick top spot for a day or 2.

 

All the top 4 have tricky away games.

 

Sat:

Hull v Chelsea

 

Sun:

Newcastle v Man City

Stoke v Liverpool

 

Mon:

A.Villa v Arsenal

 

 

No Lampard and no Ivanovic, everyone else âœ“

 

 

----------------------Cech

 

Dave--------Cahill-------Terry--------Cole

 

----------------Luiz-------Ramires

 

Willian-------------Oscar------------Hazard

 

--------------------Schurrle..........................<<(can't see this happening, but I seriously think he is one of our best finishers, and were in a position to gamble.)

 

Man City vs Newcastle is a potential 'banana skin' game for City.

Liverpool should be able to overpower Stoke though.

Arsenal will crush Villa.

 

Cech; Azpi, Cahill, Terry, Cole; Luiz, Ramires; Mata, Oscar, Hazard; Torres     

 

We took them to pieces on the first day of the season and despite a searing 6-0 win over a frankly demoralized Fulham I think we'll be too much to handle for them.

Not sure of the score-line but fairly confident we'll triumph.

Expecting a tough game. We don't fare well in the early kick-off. Need to nip that in the butt.

 

 

We'll be well rested though

 

Chelsea 2-0 win.

 

 

 

edit: just saw the hull city thread further down the page. My bad. 

Edited January 5, 201412 yr by JoeyN

I hate early kick-offs the atmosphere is usually awful. And Hull is a long way to go for an early kick off for those travelling. But hope we continue our good run

I hate early kick-offs the atmosphere is usually awful. And Hull is a long way to go for an early kick off for those travelling. But hope we continue our good run

 

What? you have to watch the match like me @ 4:30 am?

Have to agree a tough game on paper but the 'cream' always rises to the top...given their recent goalscoring form, albeit against mediocre teams, I think they will give us a run for our money for the first hour then, as in recent games, our bench strength will be the factor. Score line 1-2.

Early kick offs and us do not normally mix well. However if our recent form continues then hopefully we can keep it tight at the back and grind out another important 3 points.

----------------------Cech

 

Dave--------Cahill-------Terry--------Cole

 

---------------Oscar-------Ramires

 

Willian-------------Mata------------Hazard

 

--------------------Schurrle..........................

 

This will be exciting... Ramires will be ok if Oscar comes forward, Hull are not a goal threat to much and we can dazzle them..  :0)

Edited January 5, 201412 yr by guddy69

What? you have to watch the match like me @ 4:30 am?

Ha ha! It's not to do with how I'm affected but the crowd is usually very quiet at early matches which seems to affect our performance

Does anyone know of any spare tickets? Im looking for 2

Looking forward to seeing Luiz and Ramires partner up again!

 

Be good to have KDB at least on the bench.

 

3-1 Chelsea

Edited January 6, 201412 yr by ButchersHook

Ha ha! It's not to do with how I'm affected but the crowd is usually very quiet at early matches which seems to affect our performance

 

Thank god this game is away then. 

Looking forward to seeing Luiz and Ramires partner up again!

 

Be good to have KDB at least on the bench.

 

3-1 Chelsea

 

Much rather see Baker be given more time personally.

Luiz or mikel in midfield?

The rest of the team picks itself on recent form, however selective rotation seems to bring out the best. In the team so I might still find a place for either mat or Schurle in the starting lineup.

I hate early kick-offs the atmosphere is usually awful. And Hull is a long way to go for an early kick off for those travelling. But hope we continue our good run

Not for me it's not, why it is almost local.

Much rather see Baker be given more time personally.

 

Yep, would agree with you on that - But feel we really need the points (when don't we right?!)

 

Maybe bring him on once we're in front (less pressure on him too)

 

What a talent though! 

Nip who in the butt?

I reckon this could be quite a tough game. We've got momentum form the last few wins, but we're still not scoring enough goals, particularly away from home. And don't forget that Hull have one of the tightest defences in the League atm.  I reckon we'll grab the three points, but I think it'll be close (also my Dad's a Hull fan, so don't want to be disrespectful. I think 1-2 to Chelsea.

 

As for formation, the most likely is Cech, Azpi, Cahill, Terry, Cole, Luiz, Ramires, Schurrle, Oscar, Willian, Torres. 

However, if it were me, I'd favour playing Hazard and Mata over Schurrle and Willian, as we did last season. Mata really needs to play consistently, he's being wasted in what I suspect is part of the Mourhino 'I'm the boss' saga. He's been composed about it thus far, but you can see he's beginning to get frustrated. How can he prove his worth to the team unless he gets the chance to play regularly?

Keep Willian, Schurrle, Mikel and Eto'o on the bench. Luiz playing a DM role is his best postion, as he gives us solidity at the back without the liability and risk of him leaving a hole in the back four, command of the midfield and an extra attacking option. 

 

Now, who's going to tell Jose? 

Don't like early kick offs, baaaaad feeling.

Don't like early kick offs, baaaaad feeling.

 

Love em. Don't have to be up at 4am.

Mark Clattenburg has been appointed referee for Hull v Chelsea on Saturday 11 January #HULCHE

Expecting a hard fought tight game ... Hopefully, we will just edge it in the closing stages ... Hull 1-2 Chelsea ... Fingers crossed.

Lol the phrase is "nip it in the bud" as in cutting off a flower that's still a bud that hasn't bloomed yet.

Clattenburg? Get ready for two pointless red cards and finish the game with 9 men

Lol the phrase is "nip it in the bud" as in cutting off a flower that's still a bud that hasn't bloomed yet.