Chelsea Starting XI vs Hull City: Confirmed Team News and Predicted Lineup

Chelsea Starting XI vs Hull City: Confirmed Team News and Predicted Lineup Chelsea Predicted XI: Moises Caicedo Absence Shapes Xabi Alonso’s Stamford Bridge Plans Chelsea’s team selection for Saturday looks simpler than it did a few days ago. Injuries have narrowed the options, the experiment in midweek did not convince, and Xabi Alonso now appears set to return to something far more familiar at Stamford Bridge. The headline issue is Moises Caicedo. The midfielder remains out with a calf problem that has disrupted the start of his season and denied Chelsea any real continuity in the middle of the pitch. He made a brief return against Brighton, his former club, but lasted only 14 minutes off the bench before the injury flared again. Since then, he has missed the 2-1 defeat at Arsenal and the 6-3 win over Leeds United. Alonso has already ruled Caicedo out, with next week’s trip to Brentford viewed as a more realistic point for a proper comeback. For now, Chelsea have to cope without him, and that changes the tone of the side. Chelsea injuries leave little room for debate Caicedo is not the only absentee. Three summer signings are also unavailable, and none of them has managed to build any early rhythm. Marco Palestra is still waiting for his competitive debut after suffering a knock in training before the campaign got going. Jordan Henderson has yet to appear after breaking his wrist in the celebrations following England’s win over Mexico at the Azteca Stadium. Emmanuel Emegha is also sidelined, his hamstring problem dating back to a behind-closed-doors pre-season game against Bromley. Photo: IMAGO That matters because it strips away depth and leaves Alonso with fewer variables to consider. Sometimes that is useful for a coach. He knows what did not work in midweek, and he knows what has generally given Chelsea balance. Xabi Alonso likely to restore 3-4-2-1 shape The expectation is a return to the 3-4-2-1 system after Alonso tried a 4-3-3 against Leeds and watched Chelsea go 2-0 down. It was an unnecessary complication. The structure lacked control and the midfield combinations looked improvised. Emi Martinez should return in goal after Mike Penders’ appearance in the cup. In defence, Levi Colwill is expected to come back in despite going straight down the tunnel after being substituted in midweek. Alonso has made it clear there is no injury concern. Maxence Lacroix should keep his place, while Wesley Fofana may edge Josh Acheampong for the right-sided role in the back three. Moises Caicedo setback opens midfield door With Caicedo missing, Romeo Lavia should be restored. Reece James is likely to feature centrally too, which is a practical solution given the alternatives. The previous midfield setup, featuring debutant Reggie Watson as the lone pivot with Malo Gusto and Valentin Barco ahead of him, looked like a coach searching for answers he did not need to search for. Out wide, Pedro Neto did enough against Leeds to force his way back in. He changed the game, scored well to make it 3-2, and now looks set to start at right wing-back. Jorrel Hato has made the left side his own. Further forward, there is little suspense. Joao Pedro, the Premier League player of the month, should lead the line with Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers behind him. Rogers made a serious impact off the bench in midweek and has earned his place. Predicted Chelsea XI: Martinez, Fofana, Lacroix, Colwill, Neto, James, Lavia, Hato, Palmer, Rogers, Joao Pedro.