Chelsea vs Wolves – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

The Blues have tasted defeats just twice in 21 home league matches. Wolves have won three of their last four matches against the Blues but lost 6-2 in August when they last met.

Match: Chelsea vs Wolves
When: Monday, 20 January 2024, 22:00 SAST
Where: Stamford Bridge

Chelsea Form

The Blues are out of form right now. Their last six matches in all competitions have yielded just one win and that was against lower league Morecambe. Chelsea had won eight straight matches before this bad run including 3-0 vs Aston Villa and 4-3 at Tottenham.

The slump began with a 0-0 draw at Everton before being beaten 2-1 at home by Fulham and 2-0 at relegation-threatened Ipswich. A late goal conceded saw a 1-1 home draw versus Crystal Palace. After the big win against Morecambe, Chelsea dropped more points in the last match. A 90th-minute goal scored was needed to rescue a 2-2 home draw vs Bournemouth.

Chelsea Team News

Enzo Maresca has numerous injury concerns ahead of this match. Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile are ruled out in defence. Levi Colwill is another doubt at the back and neither of Enzo Fernandez and Romeo Lavia have trained fully this week.

Cole Palmer is struggling with a slight ankle twist and is 50-50 to be available. Reece James scored in the last match and could be handed a start at right back. Trevoh Chalobah is pushing to start after being recalled from his loan spell at Crystal Palace.

Chelsea Motivation

The Blues are on a five-match winless run in the league. Nothing less than a win will do here or their top-four hopes will take a knock.

Maresca’s side have played well in the first half of matches before dropping off alarmingly. The side looks devoid of energy right now.

Wolves Form

Wolves have enjoyed a new manager bounce of late. Gary O’Neil was sacked after four straight defeats as a 2-1 home loss to Ipswich proved the breaking point. Vitor Pereira took over and got an immediate response from the players. His first match in charge saw a 3-0 win at Leicester before beating Man Utd 2-0 at home.

A late 2-2 draw at Tottenham was another fine result in his third match at the helm. However, Wolves’ last two league matches have seen 3-0 losses – at home to Nottingham Forest and away to Newcastle. The side won 2-1 at Bristol City in the FA Cup between those two heavy defeats.

Wolves Team News

Toti Gomes is injured in defence and long-term knee surgery victim Yerson Mosquera is missing from the back three. New signing Emmanuel Agbadou will continue to start in defence.

Matheus Cunha was back from injury to face Newcastle but he is struggling will illness. He should be available to play this match. Maro Lemina is available again after interest from Saudi Arabia. Nelson Semedo is expected to be recalled at right wingback.

Wolves Motivation

Wolves have reverted to a back three of late. They have an exciting front three on the counter attack who can hurt anyone.

They have a great record against Chelsea and will go to Stamford Bridge and look to win the match.

Key Stats

Chelsea have won 9 of their last 14 matches in all competitions

Chelsea have lost just 2 of their last 22 league matches at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea’s Cole Palmer has 14 goals in the league this season

Wolves have won 3 of their last 4 matches vs Chelsea (lost 6-2 in August)

Wolves have lost 3-0 in each of their last 2 EPL matches

Verdict

This match sees two leaky defences face off. Chelsea need a win but Wolves are well capable of taking something from West London.

Best Bet: Both Teams to Score at 1.57
Alternate Bet: Chelsea win and Over 2.5 goals at 1.80
Value Bet: Chelsea win and Nicolas Jackson to score anytime at 2.60