Chelsea will host Wolverhampton Wanderers in a crucial Premier League clash on Monday evening at Stamford Bridge. Both teams enter the fixture with much at stake: Chelsea, desperate to end a five-game winless streak, and Wolves, looking to steer clear of the relegation zone after back-to-back league defeats.
Match Details
- Location: Stamford Bridge, London, England
- Date: Monday, 20 January 2025
- Kick-Off Time: 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
- Referee: Simon Hooper
- VAR: Matt Donohue
Chelsea have fallen from early-season title contenders to a team battling to retain a Champions League qualification spot, while Wolves remain in survival mode, fighting to climb out of the bottom tier of the league.
Recent Form
Chelsea
The Blues have struggled for consistency, drawing or losing their last five Premier League matches. Notable results include:
- Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth (14/01/25)
- Crystal Palace 1-1 Chelsea (04/01/25)
- Ipswich 2-0 Chelsea (30/12/24)
Despite their lackluster league form, a recent 5-0 victory over Morecambe in the FA Cup highlighted the blues potential when clicking as a unit. However, they must replicate such performances in the Premier League to stay in contention for a top-four finish.
Wolves
Wolves have also struggled in recent matches, with defeats against Newcastle (3-0) and Nottingham Forest (3-0) further complicating their relegation battle.
- Newcastle 3-0 Wolves (15/01/25)
- Wolves 0-3 Nottingham Forest (06/01/25)
- Wolves 2-0 Manchester United (26/12/24)
Wolves’ last league win, a surprise 2-0 triumph over Manchester United, demonstrated their potential under Vitor Pereira, but consistency remains elusive.
Team News and Predicted Lineups
Chelsea
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca faces selection headaches due to a growing injury list. Key players like Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill, Romeo Lavia, and Enzo Fernandez are doubtful after missing recent training sessions. Long-term absentees include Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. Mykhailo Mudryk remains suspended after a failed drug test.
Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):
Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson.
Wolves
Vitor Pereira will be encouraged by Matheus Cunha’s return from suspension, but Wolves remain without several key players. Defenders Toti Gomes and Yerson Mosquera are sidelined, with Mosquera ruled out for the rest of the season. Enzo Gonzalez and Sasa Kalajdzic are long-term absentees, while Boubacar Traore is nearing a return but is unlikely to feature in this match.
Predicted Lineup (3-4-3):
Sa; Doherty, S. Bueno, Agbadou; Semedo, Andre, J. Gomes, Ait-Nouri; Guedes, Cunha; Strand Larsen.
Key Players to Watch
Chelsea
- Enzo Fernandez: Enzo has been the blues most consistent performer and will be vital in breaking Wolves’ defensive setup. His recent contributions have kept the Blues competitive in otherwise lackluster matches.
- Reece James: Returning from injury, James’ leadership and attacking runs down the right flank will be crucial.
Wolves
- Matheus Cunha: The Brazilian forward is Wolves’ main attacking threat and will look to exploit Chelsea’s defensive frailties.
- Jorgen Strand Larsen: The physical presence of the Norwegian striker could cause problems for a Chelsea backline missing key personnel.
Match Preview
Chelsea enter this match as favorites, but their defensive vulnerabilities and inconsistent form make this far from a guaranteed victory. Their inability to maintain leads has been a recurring issue, highlighted by their recent 2-2 draw against Bournemouth despite twice going ahead.
For Wolves, the return of Matheus Cunha adds some much-needed firepower to their attack. However, their defensive lapses have been costly, with eight goals conceded in their last three matches. Pereira will need his side to tighten up defensively to stand a chance of securing points at Stamford Bridge.
Head-to-Head Record
The recent history between the two sides has been evenly contested:
- Chelsea: 2 wins
- Wolves: 3 wins
- Last Meeting: Wolves 2-6 Chelsea (25 August 2024)
The blues will take confidence from their dominant win at Molineux earlier this season, with Noni Madueke’s hat-trick leading the charge in a 6-2 victory. However, Wolves will aim to avenge that defeat under new management.
Score Prediction
While the blues recent form has been underwhelming, their superior squad depth and home advantage should see them edge this contest. Wolves’ attacking potential, bolstered by Cunha’s return, could cause problems for Chelsea’s makeshift defense, but the Blues’ quality in the final third is likely to make the difference.
Prediction: Chelsea 3-2 Wolves
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