Wolves vs Chelsea Preview: Both Teams Seek First Points at Molineux

Wolves vs Chelsea Preview

• Draw or Chelsea win
• Palmer to score

Wolves Aim to Rebound After Tough Start

Wolverhampton Wanderers endured a challenging start to their Premier League campaign last weekend, losing 2-0 to Arsenal despite causing some problems for the Gunners. This defeat marked Wolves’ fourth successive matchday one loss.

However, the home side is now focused on bouncing back as they seek to do something they haven’t achieved since the 2011/12 season—win their second game of a Premier League campaign.

In their last six such outings, Wolves have recorded two draws and four losses, so a victory here would mark a significant turnaround.

Highly-rated head coach Gary O’Neil will be reminding his players of the confidence-boosting 2-1 victory they secured in the corresponding fixture last season against Chelsea.

That win was part of Wolves’ first league double over the Blues since the 1974/75 season. Looking at their record in this fixture over the last few campaigns, Wolves have been strong, suffering just one loss in the last eight head-to-head (H2H) encounters (W4, D3).

Moreover, they haven’t tasted defeat at home to Chelsea in the last four meetings (W3, D1), which will undoubtedly boost their morale heading into this clash.

Chelsea’s Early-Season Turmoil

Chelsea’s start to the season has been marred by off-field issues, with new manager Enzo Maresca already having to deal with public discontent from one of his star players.

Raheem Sterling recently released a statement calling for “clarity” after being left out of the matchday squad for their opening match against Manchester City, which Chelsea lost 2-0.

Despite the distractions, Maresca must now refocus his squad to avoid a historic low—Chelsea have never lost their first two Premier League games in a season.

One way to avoid this unwanted record is to keep a clean sheet, but Chelsea’s recent defensive form on the road has been far from solid.

The Blues have conceded in each of their last 16 away league matches, the longest such streak for the club since a run of 24 league outings without a shutout between January 1993 and February 1994. If Chelsea is to turn their fortunes around, tightening up at the back will be crucial.

Key Players to Watch

Matheus Cunha (Wolverhampton Wanderers): Cunha was the hero the last time these two sides met, scoring a hat-trick at Stamford Bridge in a thrilling 4-2 victory.

This feat made him the first Wolves player to net three goals in a single Premier League game away from home. Cunha will be eager to replicate that form and make a significant impact again in this fixture.

Cole Palmer (Chelsea): After winning the PFA Young Player of the Year award for his performances in the 2023/24 season, Palmer will be looking to kick off his 2024/25 campaign in style.

His opener against Wolves in their previous meeting was one of nine occasions last season where he put his side 1-0 up. Palmer’s ability to start games strongly could be crucial for Chelsea as they look to secure their first win of the season.

Conclusion

As Wolverhampton Wanderers host Chelsea at Molineux Stadium, both teams are desperate for a positive result. Wolves will be buoyed by their strong recent record against the Blues, particularly at home, and will aim to build on last season’s success in this fixture.

On the other hand, Chelsea faces the pressure of avoiding an unprecedented poor start to their Premier League campaign, amidst off-field turmoil and defensive woes.

With key players like Matheus Cunha and Cole Palmer in the spotlight, this match promises to be a fascinating encounter as both sides seek to get their seasons back on track.

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Wolves v Chelsea, 2024/25 | Premier League