Chelsea XI vs Hull: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for Premier League today

The biggest miss is Moises Caicedo, who remains sidelined with a calf problem that has blinkered his start to the season, though next week’s London derby away at Brentford has been earmarked as a potential benchmark for his return.

The other three absentees are all summer signings. Marco Palestra’s wait for a competitive debut continues from his knock that he took in training before the start of the season.

Jordan Henderson has not featured at all for his new club since his free transfer from Brentford, having broken his wrist in the celebrations following England’s win over Mexico in the World Cup at the Azteca Stadium.

Emmanuel Emegha, the summer arrival from sister club Strasbourg, is out with a hamstring problem that he suffered against Bromley in a behind-closed-doors friendly in pre-season.

As such, and after Xabi Alonso’s shuffling of his pack against Leeds in midweek, it should make his first-choice lineup fairly straightforward to pick.

Pedro Neto was a half-time sub against Leeds, and he completed the turnaround with a well-taken goal to make it 3-2. He will celebrate his new contract with another start at right wing-back, while Jorrel Hato has seemingly cemented himself as the go-to on the left.

Reece James should start in the engine room, and Romeo Lavia should be reinstalled in Caicedo’s absence, after the failed experiment of a midfield trio that saw Reggie Watson handed a debut as a sole pivot, and Malo Gusto and Valentin Barco ahead of him as No8s.

The front three picks itself, with Premier League Player of the Month Joao Pedro flanked by Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers, who starred off the bench against Leeds.

Predicted Chelsea XI (3-4-2-1): Martinez; Fofana, Lacroix, Colwill; Neto, James, Lavia, Hato; Palmer, Rogers; Joao Pedro