Source: SKY_Sports
Chelsea v Hull City preview
// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} Chelsea and Hull City have the honour of getting the 2009/10 Premier League season underway on Saturday lunchtime. Stamford Bridge will provide the setting for the first game of the new campaign, with a summer of eager anticipation set to reach its climax.Chelsea will be hoping to get off to a flying start, with the Blues harbouring realistic ambitions of wrestling the title away from Manchester United this term.Italian tactician Carlo Ancelotti will also want to hit the ground running as he takes in a Premier League contest for the first time.Pre-season performances bode well for the Blues, with impressive showings on an American tour complemented nicely by Community Shield success last weekend.Chelsea may have made few alterations to their playing staff over the summer, but they will feel that only minor tweaks were required to a squad which is already brimming with world class talent.Hull City, in contrast, have been busy in the transfer market of late and will be hoping their new arrivals settle quickly.The Tigers only avoided the drop by the narrowest of margins last term and will be keen to avoid a repeat this time around.Phil Brown's men remain a top-flight outfit as a direct result of a bright start to the previous campaign which saw them rack up points early on.They will be keen to burst out of the blocks once again, and avoid the subsequent plummet down the rankings after Christmas.A trip to West London should hold no fear for Hull, after they ground out a 0-0 draw at the Bridge last term, but they must beware a sluggish start which could set the tone for a difficult season.No worriesChelsea have few injury concerns heading into the game and could keep faith with the side that overcame Manchester United on penalties last Sunday.With summer signing Yuri Zhirkov carrying a slight knee problem Ashley Cole and Florent Malouda should continue down the left, while Jose Bosingwa will be hoping to oust Branislav Ivanovic on the right.Ricardo Carvalho is likely to partner John Terry at the heart of the back four, while Ancelotti's penchant for 4-4-2 means Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka should be paired in attack.The only other notable absentees for the Blues are Joe Cole, who is yet to shake off a niggling knee injury, and Paulo Ferrerira, who has a similar ailment.Both are, however, expected to be back in contention in the not too distant future.DebutsHull could hand debuts to all four of their new signings when they head to the capital.Stephen Hunt and Kamel Ghilas will go straight into the squad having completed four-year deals this week and could be joined by fellow new boys Seyi Olofinjana and Jozy Altidore.Missing for the Tigers are knee-injury victims Ian Ashbee, Jimmy Bullard and Richard Garcia.On a more positive note, goalkeeper Boaz Myhill is fit again after recovering from a thumb complaint.Possible starting XIsChelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Terry, Carvalho, Cole, Mikel, Essien, Lampard, Malouda, Anelka, Drogba.Hull City: Duke, Mendy, Turner, Dawson, Gardner, Hunt, Boateng, Olofinjana, Kilbane, Altidore, Ghilas.