Premier League
Sunday, January 22, 8:30 PM
Stamford Bridge
Chelsea lost to Tottenham Hotspur in their first match of the New Year, snapping a 13-game winning streak two rounds ago. It was only the team’s third loss of the season as they had been on top of the Premier League table for many weeks now. They are currently seven games in front of the second-running Spurs in the overall standings.
The Blues managed to pull off a bounce back in their next game, a lopsided 3-0 beating of defending champions Leicester City on the road at the King Power Stadium last Saturday, as per the Telegraph.
Spanish defender Marcos Alonso was the man of the match for head coach Antonio Conte’s side as he scored a brace in the sixth and 51st minute to give the visitors a 2-0 lead. His compatriot, Pedro, netted the team’s third goal in the 71st to finalize the count.
Chelsea continues to have problems about Diego Costa being lured to China, but according to latest reports all has been settled and the Spanish striker will be staying at the Stamford Bridge at least until the summer.
Meanwhile, Hull City managed to earn a win after nine winless tries as they romped Bournemouth, 3-1, at their home ground of KCOM Stadium also last Saturday, the Star reported.
The Cherries scored the opening goal early in the third minute courtesy of English midfielder Junior Stanislas, but head coach Marco Silva’s squad was able to score the next three goals of the contest to claim their fourth win of the season.
Uruguayan striker Abel Hernandez netted a brace in the 32nd and 50th minutes before an own goal by Bournemouth defender Tyrone Mings sealed the win for the Tigers in the 62nd.
Prediction and Predicted Lineup
The predicted result is another 2-0 rout by Chelsea.
Chelsea starting lineup (3-4-3 formation): Courtois; Cahill, Luiz, Azpilicueta; Alonso, Matic, Kanté, Moses; Pedro, Willian, Hazard
Hull City starting lineup (3-5-2 formation): Jakupovic; Davies, Dawson, Maguire; Robertson, Clucas, Mason, Huddlestone, Diomande; Hernandez, Snodgrass
