Chelsea vs Wolves Preview
- Chelsea to win
- Madueke to score
Chelsea will look to end their winless Premier League run as they host Wolves at Stamford Bridge on Monday. Both sides have experienced a downturn in form, with Chelsea slipping out of the top four and Wolves struggling to pull away from the relegation zone.
Chelsea: Aiming to Reignite Form
Once one of the league’s most in-form teams before Christmas, Chelsea now find themselves in a worrying slump. The Blues are winless in their last five Premier League games (D3, L2), a streak that has seen them fall from being title challengers to fighting for a spot in the top four.
Despite their poor run, Chelsea will take confidence from their previous 6-2 thrashing of Wolves at Molineux earlier this season.
Monday fixtures also bode well for the Blues, as they’ve won five of their last six Premier League home games held on this day (D1), keeping clean sheets in four of those victories.
Key Player to Watch
Noni Madueke: The winger scored a hat-trick in the reverse fixture, contributing to five of his six league goals this season being netted after the break.
Wolves: Struggling for Stability
Vítor Pereira’s Wolves enjoyed a promising start under their new manager, winning his first two games. However, that early momentum has faded, with Wolves now winless in their last three league matches and reeling from back-to-back 3-0 defeats.
Wolves are flirting with danger, sitting just outside the relegation zone thanks to their superior goal tally.
Their defensive woes, particularly on the road, are concerning; they haven’t kept a clean sheet in a Premier League game in London since February 2022.
Wolves’ attack must step up if they are to avoid another heavy defeat and the unwanted record of losing their opening three top-flight games of a calendar year by 3+ goals, a feat last achieved by Nottingham Forest in 1910.
Key Player to Watch
Jørgen Strand Larsen: The Norwegian opened his Wolves account in the reverse fixture but is yet to score in a game that resulted in a win for his team.
Head-to-Head Record
- Last Meeting: Wolves 2-6 Chelsea (August 2024, Premier League)
- Chelsea have won four of the last five H2Hs across all competitions (L1).
- Wolves have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last nine league visits to Stamford Bridge.
Tactical Insights and Key Battles
Chelsea’s Attack vs Wolves’ Defence
Chelsea’s dynamic front line, led by Noni Madueke and Cole Palmer, will look to exploit Wolves’ fragile backline, which has shipped six goals in their last two matches. If Chelsea can replicate their clinical performance from the reverse fixture, this could be a long night for Wolves.
Wolves’ Counter-Attack
Wolves’ best hope lies in their counter-attacking capabilities, with Cunha and Hwang Hee-chan key to stretching Chelsea’s defence. If Jørgen Strand Larsen can capitalise on chances, Wolves might trouble a Chelsea backline that has shown vulnerabilities in recent weeks.
Midfield Battle
The duel between Chelsea’s Moisés Caicedo and Wolves’ Mario Lemina could dictate the game’s tempo. Chelsea will aim to dominate possession, while Wolves will look to disrupt and transition quickly.
Prediction: Chelsea to Bounce Back
While Chelsea are far from their best, their quality and Wolves’ recent defensive frailties should combine to deliver a much-needed win for the Blues. Wolves may trouble Chelsea with their counter-attacks, but the hosts’ superior firepower is likely to prove decisive.
Predicted Score: Chelsea 3-1 Wolves
Final Thoughts
Both sides are desperate for a positive result, but Chelsea’s home advantage and historical dominance over Wolves could be key. A win here would help the Blues regain some momentum, while Wolves need to show greater resolve to avoid another heavy defeat.
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Chelsea v Wolves, 2024/25 | Premier League