Taking a look at tomorrow's FA Cup Fourth Round opponents ahead of the game
Tomorrow evening, the 13th of February, Chelsea will make the trip to Humberside to face Championship side Hull City, the former team of Liam Rosenior, both as a player and manager, in the FA Cup fourth round proper.
So, what can we expect from our hosts ahead of this one?
Up until now, Hull have had a very good season. Tipped by many for relegation, or at least a relegation fight, they have managed to exceed expectations, and currently sit in fourth place, just five points off one of the two automatic promotion spots.
Under their Bosnian manager, Sergej Jakirovic, they play a very expansive style of football. They create many chances and score plenty of goals, but they also give up many chances and concede many goals. Perfectly encapsulated in their last outing at home to Bristol City, where they lost 3-2.
In most games, Hull will line up in a 4231, but sometimes revert to a 3412. Striker Oli McBurnie scored a last minute equaliser for Sheffield United against Chelsea in April of 2024. He also scored against the Blues in the same fixture during project restart.
The 29-year old is the Tigers' top scorer in the Championship this season, with 12. He is followed by Joe Gelhardt, with 10 - a player who played against Chelsea whilst at parent club Leeds United.
Some good news for Chelsea is that key midfielder Matt Crooks will miss the game with a hamstring injury. Crooks was part of the Middlesbrough team that beat Chelsea in the 23/24 Carabao Cup semi-final first leg, before a second leg turnaround.
Left-back Ryan Giles is the most creative outlet for the hosts, with 11 big chances created in the Championship. He is known for getting forward and getting crosses in. He is however, often found wanting defensively, particularly in a back four. As a result, and just in general with the level of opponent, we could see Hull play a back five in this one.
Young defender Charlie Hughes is someone who has been tipped for a Premier League move in the future, and is seen to have immense potential. He will be eager to impress against a Premier League opponent in this one.
This will certainly be no walkover for Rosenior's side. There have already been bigger upsets in the competition this year than a potential Hull win. Chelsea will have to lock in for this one.