Chelsea
captain John Terry will miss Saturday's Premier League clash with Hull and
is out until after the international break.
The defender has missed the last three matches with an ankle injury
sustained against Swansea and manager Antonio Conte confirmed the game would
come too soon for the 35-year-old.
Chelsea endured a poor September in the league, drawing against Swansea and
losing to Liverpool and Arsenal after three straight wins in August.
With no European football this season, Conte's side have had a full week to
mull over their disappointing 3-0 defeat at the Emirates.
Mike Phelan continues to be questioned about his future at Hull, stating on
Friday that he has not signed a deal to become permanent boss because the
club keep changing the terms of the deal.
Hull started brightly under Phelan with two league wins, but have struggled
in the league since late August despite advancing to the EFL Cup round of 16
in that time.
Team news
Ahmed Elmohamady serves a one-game ban following his dismissal for handball
in last week's 5-1 defeat at Liverpool, while David Meyler is vying with
James Weir for a place in the starting line-up at right-back.
Strikers Will Keane and Dieumerci Mbokani and midfielder Markus Henriksen
are pushing for their first league starts.
Defender Kurt Zouma continues his rehabilitation from his long-term knee
injury, while midfielder John Obi Mikel is out with a "small muscular
problem", Conte said.
Opta stats
Hull have never beaten Chelsea in the Premier League, losing six and drawing
twice.
Diego Costa and Eden Hazard scored in both Premier League fixtures against
Hull in the 2014/15 season. Indeed, five of Chelsea's last seven PL goals
against the Tigers have been scored or assisted by Costa and Hazard.
Courtesy of his red card v Liverpool last weekend, this will be the first
Premier League game that Elmohamady has ever missed for Hull (38 games in
13/14, 38 in 14/15 and six in 16/17).
Hull have conceded 40 shots on target this season, more than any other
Premier League team.
If Chelsea lose this game they will have lost as many games under Antonio
Conte (3) in seven matches as they did in 21 outings under Guus Hiddink last
season.
Merson's prediction
Chelsea really need to get back to winning ways. I couldn't believe what I
was watching against Arsenal last weekend, it was unbelievable.
I wouldn't be surprised if they drew this because Chelsea are all over the
place at the back and they need desperately need John Terry back. I'm going
to go for a Chelsea win just because of what happened to Hull against
Arsenal in their last home game when they were beaten 4-1.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2 (Sky Bet odds 7/1)
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