Leicester City vs. Hull City 2016 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch Premier League online

Reigning Premier League champions Leicester City couldn’t have hoped for an easier game to kick off their title defense. At least, not on paper. They start the season away at newly promoted and manager-less Hull City in Saturday’s early kickoff, with the Tigers still trying to find a replacement after the surprise departure of Steve Bruce midway through their preseason campaign.

For the time being, it is former Manchester United assistant Mike Phelan in charge. However, he’s never before taken charge of a first team, and it remains to be seen how he’ll handle the pressure. Unfortunately, he’s got a task that would challenge even the most experienced of coaches: Hull have perhaps the weakest team in the entire division, and Bruce resigned over their inactivity in the transfer market. The same can’t be said for Leicester, who have splashed some £40 million over the summer.

Arguably Leicester’s most impressive business so far this summer has been holding onto Riyad Mahrez, who was crucial in their title win last season. The Algerian winger’s pace and close control was devastating on the counter-attack, and he’s attracted the attention of some of England’s biggest clubs. In this match, he’ll likely be up against another talented young player in Scottish left back Andrew Robertson, a player who enjoys attacking as much as defending. It should be a thoroughly entertaining battle -- if not the prettiest for Hull supporters.

Though Hull spent last season in the Championship, these sides did actually meet. The Tigers came away with a penalty shootout victory in the League Cup last October, with all five of their players netting their spot kicks. However, that was their first win over the Foxes since 2011, with Leicester having won four of the preceding five contests. Claudio Ranieri’s side will certainly be expecting to get back on track on Saturday.

Hull City will be without goalkeeper McGregor and defenders Odubajo and Bruce, who are all long-term layoffs. Leicester City’s only absentee is center back Robert Huth, whose suspension from the end of last season is carried over into the new campaign.

Match date/time: Saturday, 7:30 a.m. ET, 12:30 p.m. local

Venue: KCOM Stadium, Hull, England

TV: CNBC (US - English); NBC Universo (US - Spanish); TSN5 (Canada); Sky Sports 1/HD (UK)

Online: NBC Sports Live Extra (US); TSN live streaming (Canada); Sky Go (UK)