Soccer - Basketball - Match

Date: August 18, 2013 Sunday

Where: Stamford Bridge, London

Kickoff: 4 p.m. GMT

Who will win the Barclays Premier League title this season? It's a question every fan in the English top flight has been asking themselves of late as we count down to this weekend's big kick-off. Where Chelsea supporters are concerned, they may have a few reasons for feeling confident it will be them.

Money and budget can help a team achieve success, but it doesn't ultimately deliver it. Nor does talent in some cases and neither does an iron will to succeed.

Sometimes you need luck or a little divine intervention, and any Blues attending Stamford Bridge on Sunday who believe in the supernatural will be able to draw on many omens to bring them belief that this is indeed their year.

The last time Chelsea won the Premier League trophy was in 2010 of course. That year they kicked off their season with a last-gasp 2-1 victory over none other than Hull City, as they will for 2013-14.

Not only that, but being crowned champions that season ended a four-year wait to lift the Premier League trophy and—low and behold—this season marks the fourth since Chelsea could last cal themselves England's finest.

Jose Mourinho's first-ever game in charge as Chelsea manager came at Stamford Bridge on the opening weekend of the 2004-05 campaign. The Blues faced Manchester United, defeating them 1-0 thanks to Eidur Gudjohnsen's scrappy finish.

Hull manager Steve Bruce used to play for Manchester United and 2004-05 saw Chelsea go on to lift their first league title in 50 years.

If the stars are to align for Chelsea, Hull may be just as concerned as the Blues are elated, however. 

His return has all but healed those wounds. Win on Sunday and the club will be truly reunited.

Despite plenty of speculation, Chelsea have signed just three players since last term, while a one-year contract renewal has been forthcoming for backup goalkeeper Hilario.

The new faces at Stamford Bridge are Mark Schwarzer, who signed on a free from Fulham and the young talents of Andre Schurrle from BayerLeverkusen and Vitesse Arnhem's Marco van Ginkel.