Mourinho would have struggled to ask for a better opponent to return to form, with the pressure on Hull manager Steve Bruce having seen his side score just twice in the last six games.
Hull have not won a league match since they beat Crystal Palace at the KC Stadium on 4 October. Steve Bruce’s men have struggled to create and convert chances in recent weeks and managed just two goals in their last six matches. Hull slipped into the relegation zone last weekend, when they were held to a goalless draw at home to West Brom, and they are currently just one point from safety.
Since they beat Sheffield United in the FA Cup semi-final, the Tigers have won just two league games in 20. Fourteen points from a possible 60 is clear relegation form.
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.
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho says that Petr Cech will start for Chelsea tomorrow against Hull.
Playmaker Cesc Fabregas will serve a one-match suspension as Mourinho reverts to the majority of his first-choice line-up.
The metronomic Cesc Fabregas will be missing. It’ll be interesting to see if they’re as harmonious without the orchestrator who has provided 11 assists and started every league game so far.
Hull captain Curtis Davies could be handed a recall for the trip to Stamford Bridge. The centre-half has been dropped for the last two matches, but manager Bruce could revert to a back three, opening up a vacancy at the back. Gaston Ramirez has completed a three-game ban, but fellow loanee Hatem Ben Arfa is set to continue his exile from the squad.
Probable Lineup:
Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Azpilicueta, Matic, Ramires, Oscar, Willian, Hazard, Diego Costa.
Hull City: McGregor; Elmohamady, Chester, Dawson, Rosenior; Meyler, Huddlestone, Livermore, Quinn; Jelavic, Hernandez
Prediction:
Chelsea 3-0 Hull City