Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says Hull City will bring "Championship spirit" to Stamford Bridge for the first game of the new Premier League season.
The Tigers will travel to the Bridge for a mouth-watering season's opener on August 17.
And Mourinho - returning to the Chelsea for a second spell in charge - said it would mean an "emotional but a hard start".
He told Chelsea's official website: "Starting the season at home is a great way for our supporters to show the players they are ready to be behind the team all the way, and at the same time it is a great way for the players to show how much they are motivated and committed.
"I am so happy to start at the Bridge, but at the same time Hull City is a team who were promoted from the Championship and they will have that spirit, even if now they are in the Premier League.
"So it is an emotional but a hard start."
Mourinho won each of his opening league fixtures during his four seasons as Chelsea manager, but Hull's Republic of Ireland midfielder David Meyler insists the Tigers can pull off a shock this time around.
He said: "I'm sure the manager will have us all fired up and ready to go for that opening game against Chelsea.
"Jose Mourinho will do the same with his players and they'll be hoping to win the league. It will be tough, but maybe we can spoil his party."
City faced Chelsea in the opening round of the 2009 Premier League season. The Tigers opened the scoring through Stephen Hunt and were unlucky to lose 2-1 through a Didier Drogba double - the second in stoppage time.
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