Hull City boss Steve Bruce could hand out as many as seven debuts when his new-look side begin their long-awaited Premier League adventure at Chelsea.
Summer signings Allan McGregor, Maynor Figueroa and Curtis Davies all look to be certain starters, while forwards Yannick Sagbo and Danny Graham are battling for a place in the Tigers' attack.
With this week's new arrivals Tom Huddlestone and Jake Livermore also in contention for immediate debuts in midfield, it will be a much-changed side to the one that sealed promotion in May.
Bruce is likely to go with a 4-3-3 shape that has been fine-tuned during pre-season and key roles will go to Robbie Brady and Sone Aluko if they slot into the wide attacking roles.
The system is dependent on having a strong figurehead in attack and that will be either Sagbo or Graham.
The physical strength of Sagbo could see him get the nod and Bruce will hope he can give the Chelsea defence a headache. While exceptional as an on-field leader, John Terry's legs and not what they once were in a pace race. City must make the Chelsea rearguard turn or it will be a long afternoon.
City's only guaranteed absentee is Stephen Quinn. An ill-timed hamstring injury has ruled the Irish midfielder out of tomorrow's trip to Stamford Bridge and leaves him facing a battle to play any part in the opening month.
Abdoulaye Faye, who has only been able to play a small role in pre-season, is unlikely to make the bench, but Ahmed Elmohamady has recovered from the rib injury that prevented him from playing for Egypt in midweek.Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho returns to the Stamford Bridge dug-out for the first time in six years with much to ponder as he plots a winning return against the Tigers.
The midweek international fixtures are expected to have some bearing on Mourinho's plans and that could mean Cesar Azpilicueta and Victor Moses, who faced long trips with Spain and Nigeria respectively, miss out on a starting spot.
Fernando Torres and Juan Mata were both spared Spain's away trip to Ecuador and should be in contention, but a question mark hangs over Barcelona target David Luiz (hamstring), who is rated as doubtful.
The Brazilian defender was only able to enjoy a limited role in Chelsea's tour of the USA and John Terry stands by to partner Gary Cahill in an all England defence.
Andre Schurrle, an £18m buy from Bayer Leverkusen, and Marco van Ginkel, bought for £8m from Vitesse, could make their debuts after signing this summer.
A glittering array of talent will be at Mourinho's disposal and those numbers are boosted by the comeback of Romelu Lukaku, fresh from his experience out on loan at West Brom last season.Possible Hull City line-up (4-3-3)McGregor; Elmohamady, Chester, Davies, Figueroa; Huddlestone, Meyler, Livermore; Aluko, Brady, Sagbo.
