Hull City Football Club News

• Nickname:The Tigers
• Founded:1904
• Manager:Nick Barmby

• Ground:Kingston Communications Stadium
• Capacity:25,404

Preview: Hull City v Chelsea

07 Jan 2010 - 14:46:54

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Hull City entertain Premier League leaders Chelsea on Saturday lunchtime when they will be attempting to end a seven-match winless run in all competitions.

The Tigers have failed to win a game since beating Everton 3-2 at the KC Stadium at the end of November and produced an abject second-half-display last weekend when they slumped to a 4-1 FA Cup third round defeat against Wigan Athletic.

However, there were reasons for optimism in their last league game when they battled back from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Bolton Wanderers, a result that brought Gary Megson's reign at the Reebok Stadium to an end.

Phil Brown's team go into this weekend's fixtures entrenched in the relegation zone though after winning only four of their opening 20 Premier League matches, all of them at home.

Hull will once again be without Jimmy Bullard who has been sidelined since limping out of last month's 3-0 defeat at Aston Villa, although the 31-year-old hopes to return to action against Wolves at the end of January.

Meanwhile, Chelsea appear to be over their December wobble with Sunday's 5-0 demolition of Championship side Watford in the FA Cup extending their unbeaten run to seven matches in all competitions.

They will be without Didier Drogba, John Obi Mikel and Salomon Kalou who are all on African Cup of Nations duty, while Michael Essien remains on the injury list, but Carlo Ancelotti's squad appears to be strong and deep enough to cope with their absence.

Daniel Sturridge may get another chance to impress after the former Manchester City forward netted twice in the easy victory against the Hornets.

When the two teams met at the KC Stadium last term, Chelsea eased to a 3-0 victory thanks to goals by Frank Lampard, Nicholas Anelka and Florent Malouda.