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Chelsea face newly promoted Hull City on Sunday with Jose Mourinho making a formal return to the Premier League. The former Real Madrid and Inter Milan boss has wasted little time in starting the mind games, after accusing Manchester United and Manchester City of easy routes to title wins in 2013 and 2012 respectively.

For Hull and Steve Bruce this is a baptism of fire. An opening day visit to Stamford Bridge is not the best way to begin a season but if they can walk away from west London with at least a point in the bag, they can consider this an excellent start to the campaign.

Hull City v Chelsea
Reuters

Where to Watch Live

Kick-off is set for 4pm BST. Live coverage is on Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports 1 HD.

Overview

Mourinho was hugely successful in his first three years in London, winning two Premier League titles, two League Cups, a FA Cup and the 2005 Community Shield. Chelsea fans will be eager for another equally successful stint with the Special One.

The Blues have not done too badly in the Portuguese's absence, winning three FA Cups, the 2009/10 Premier League and, of course, the Champions League and Europa League over the past two years. However, there is a distinct feeling among fans that Chelsea have lost ground to United and City in the race for domestic dominance and Mourinho will be tasked with returning the club to that position.

Mourinho has been reasonably active in the transfer market so far, bringing in youngsters Andre Schürrle and Marco van Ginkel, while also recalling Kevin de Bruyne and Michael Essien from loans at Werder Bremen and Madrid.

Pre-season results were encouraging, with six wins from seven games. The only defeat came against Mourinho's former club - a Carlo Ancelotti-led Real Madrid beat Chelsea 3-1 in the US.

Meanwhile, Championship runners-up Hull face a difficult start. The club will return from west London to host Norwich City next weekend and are back on the road after that, with a visit to Manchester City to finish the month.

Bruce has made some smart signings this summer, with Tom Huddlestone and Danny Graham joining the KC Stadium. They have had a mixed pre-season with some good wins (beating La Liga side Real Betis 3-0) and narrow defeats (1-2 at Birmingham) and look to be in good shape for the new season.

What the Coaches Say

Mourinho: "I am not the kind of person to be at the same club for three or four years without winning a ­trophy. In this case, I don't need the club to say 'we are not happy with you, goodbye'. I will be the first one to say 'I gave everything I could but I didn't succeed, so let's both go and try a different thing."

Bruce: "The interest, the big grounds, the players, the atmosphere - the Premier League is the real deal and to be part of it again is why I came here."

Team Form

Chelsea

  • Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): L W W W W
  • Last Match: Real Madrid 3 - 1 Chelsea

Hull City

  • Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): W L W W L
  • Last Match: Hull City Tigers 3 - 0 Real Betis

Team News

Chelsea

  • Injured: N/A
  • Doubtful: N/A
  • Suspended: N/A

Probable Line-Up: Cech; Ivanovic, Terry, Luiz, Cole; Essien, Lampard; Schürrle, Oscar, Hazard; Lukaku

Hull City

  • Injured: Stephen Quinn (hamstring)
  • Doubtful: N/A
  • Suspended: N/A

Probable Line-Up: McGregor; Davies, Chester, Figuero; Elmohamady, Quinn, Meyler, Brady; Koren; Sagbo, Graham

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