With just one draw to show from the last three Premier League matches, Chelsea have the opportunity this weekend to either free themselves from a blip, or plunge into full-on crisis.

If things aren't going to plan for Antonio Conte at Chelsea right now, then give Mike Phelan a thought at Hull.

The Tigers are on a run of one point from the last 12, and have conceded nine goals in their last two league matches.

They are without a win at the KCOM Stadium since the opening day, when they dispatched champions Leicester 2-1.

This is, therefore, a must-win match for Chelsea in every sense.

While Conte has had to take a cautious line with his defensive decisions of late, the results have been woeful for all to see.

Now is surely time to cast that caution to the wind, given the strength of the opposition, and try to bed in new personnel.

The problem with the Blues' defence is as much about confidence as ability right now.

Gary Cahill looks like a man in turmoil: his expressions of regret and frustration on-pitch highlighting that, as much as his fraught recent media appearances.

He looks like he needs time off, and Conte should rejoice that John Terry is expected to make a return from injury – particularly given the added organisation he will bring against Hull's main outlet: set-pieces.

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Another man in need of respite is Branislav Ivanovic, and happily Conte can also finally draw on the limited depth of his squad to act in that department.

Marcos Alonso played the final 35 minutes at The Emirates, as Conte switched to 3-4-3: impeding Arsenal's earlier rampant incursions into the Blues' goalmouth.

The big question for Conte is whether he uses that system at Hull, which would require either Cahill or Ivanovic alongside Terry and David Luiz; or the 4-1-4-1 he has tended to start with, and drop the pair.

Saturday's opposition are unlikely to be anywhere near as efficient as Arsenal, and Liverpool before them, at enforcing the high press that has caused Blues so many problems.

Chelsea, then, should not have to rely on the added fluidity 3-4-3 is expected to bring in switching defence to attack; and can start playing Cesar Azpilicueta in his more natural right back role.

Chelsea's Italian head coach Antonio Conte watches frustrated from the touchline

Plus, Conte may well see it as a risk too far to change both the personnel and the system at the same time.

So, stick with a back four, and send Cahill and Ivanovic off for a bit of east coast sunshine at Bridlington.

There are other changes needed too: notably Willian, who is presently dealing with the great stress of family illness, and looks like he needs a break.

But sort out the defence, and Conte's team could start looking like the well-oiled machine we have long hoped to see, against opposition that is definitely there for the taking.

For anything less than a win here will put the Italian into a very unstable stance, so early in his tenure.