EPL stats preview: Matchweek 1 – Chelsea vs Hull City Tigers

Chelsea defender John Terry celebrates after scoring against Hull City Tigers in February 2010

Jose Mourinho will make his highly anticipated return to the Premier League when his side Chelsea host the rechristened Hull City Tigers on Sunday.

Mourinho had a dream three-year spell at Stamford Bridge during his first stint. Chelsea fans will be hoping he delivers the title in the first season itself on his return as he did that during his last tenure.

Chelsea’s strikers, namely Fernando Torres and Demba Ba, struggled to score consistently in the league last season. The duo had 11 goals between them. Fans will be hoping that £18m signing of Andre Schurrle from Bayer Leverkusen will help the team pose more attacking threat.

On the other hand, Hull City will be keen to survive relegation in their first season back in the Premiership since 2010.

Hull fans know a good start to the season is crucial and will be looking to new signings, Tom Huddlestone, Danny Graham and Curtis Davies to help beat Chelsea for the first ever at Stamford Bridge.

Let’s have a look at what stats have to offer:

- Chelsea are unbeaten in the four Premier League meetings between the two sides. They have won two while the other two have been drawn.

- Chelsea have lost just three of their last 73 games against newly-promoted teams.

- Chelsea have won 12 and drawn 2 of their last 14 games on the opening weekend of the league campaign.

- Chelsea have won 44 points on the opening day games in the Premier League era; more than any other side.

- Fernando Torres has scored three goals in two Premier League games against Hull City. All three of his goals came via a hat-trick for Liverpool back in September 2009.

- Jose Mourinho has the highest win percentage in Premier League history (70%) among managers to have been in charge for at least one season.

- Hull City have never won a competitive fixture at Stamford Bridge in 19 attempts. They have lost 14 while having drawn 5.

- In fact, Hull last won a competitive fixture against Chelsea in October 1988. Hull won that game 3-0 at home.

- The last time Hull City won away from home on the opening day was back in 2002, when they won 3-1 at Exeter in the fourth tier.