Chelsea will take on Wolverhampton Wanderers in what promises to be a compelling Premier League clash. With both teams needing points to boost their respective campaigns, this matchup could serve as a turning point for either side. The Chelsea vs Wolves Premier League Preview examines the key team news, likely lineups, and predictions for this encounter.
Chelsea vs Wolves: Kick-off Time and Viewing Options
This high-stakes encounter is scheduled for Monday, 20th January 2025, with kick-off at:
- UK: 8:00 PM
- US ET: 3:00 PM
- US PT: 12:00 PM
How to watch on TV and online:
- UK: Sky Sports and Sky Go
- US: USA Network, Telemundo
Chelsea Team News: Key Doubts and Updates
Chelsea’s manager, Enzo Maresca, is facing increasing pressure to deliver a win after a string of poor performances. Unfortunately, he’ll have to navigate this match with several key injury concerns.
Notable doubts include Levi Colwill, Romeo Lavia, Enzo Fernandez, and Cole Palmer, who all missed Friday’s training session. This could leave Chelsea’s midfield and defensive options significantly weakened.
Reece James, however, has returned to full fitness and will likely play a crucial role for the Blues. Additionally, Trevoh Chalobah has been recalled and could feature in the starting lineup as speculation swirls around potential moves for Axel Disasi and Tosin Adarabioyo.
Chelsea Predicted Starting XI (4-2-3-1):
- Goalkeeper: Sanchez
- Defenders: James, Chalobah, Adarabioyo, Cucurella
- Midfielders: Caicedo, Fernandez
- Attackers: Neto, Felix, Sancho
- Striker: Jackson
Unavailable Players:
- Badiashile (Injury), Fofana (Injury), Dewsbury-Hall (Injury), Mudryk (Disciplinary), Kellyman (Injury)
Questionable Players:
- Colwill, Lavia, Fernandez, Palmer (All Injuries)
Wolves Team News: Injury Woes Continue
Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Vitor Pereira is also contending with a growing injury list. Key defender Toti has been ruled out, and his absence could expose weaknesses in Wolves’ backline. Fellow defender Yerson Mosquera and striker Sasa Kalajdzic are also sidelined, with the latter nursing a long-term ACL injury.
Despite these issues, there is some good news for Wolves. Matheus Cunha, who missed training earlier this week due to illness, is expected to be available.
Wolves Predicted Starting XI (3-4-2-1):
- Goalkeeper: Sa
- Defenders: Doherty, Bueno, Agbadou
- Midfielders: R. Gomes, Andre, J. Gomes, Ait-Nouri
- Attackers: Cunha, Guedes
- Striker: Strand Larsen
Unavailable Players:
- Toti, Mosquera, Gonzalez, Kalajdzic
Questionable Players:
- Traore (Fitness), Cunha (Illness)
Chelsea vs Wolves: Recent Form
Chelsea enters this game under a cloud of poor form, with just three points from their last five Premier League matches. Their most recent outing—a 2-2 draw with AFC Bournemouth—showcased both their attacking potential and defensive vulnerabilities. Reece James’ stunning stoppage-time free-kick salvaged a point, but Chelsea’s overall performance left much to be desired.
Wolves, on the other hand, had a promising start under Vitor Pereira, securing seven points from his first three matches. However, back-to-back 3-0 defeats against Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United have dented their confidence. Wolves are now looking for a strong response to avoid slipping further down the table.
Key Battle Areas: Where the Game Could Be Won
Midfield Showdown
With injuries plaguing both teams’ midfields, this area of the pitch will be pivotal. Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo is expected to anchor the midfield, while Wolves’ João Gomes will look to disrupt Chelsea’s rhythm.
Defensive Resilience
Chelsea’s return of Reece James provides stability to their backline, but Wolves’ attack, led by Guedes and Cunha, is capable of causing problems. The battle between these two units will likely determine the outcome of the game.
Chelsea vs Wolves Prediction
Both teams have struggled for consistency, but Chelsea’s individual quality and home advantage could prove decisive. Despite their poor form, Chelsea’s attacking lineup, featuring João Felix and Nicolas Jackson, should be too much for Wolves to handle.
Prediction: Chelsea 2-0 Wolves
For bettors, a -1 handicap on Chelsea looks like a solid pick given Wolves’ recent defensive frailties.
Chelsea vs Wolves: Key Takeaways
- Chelsea desperately needs a win to regain confidence and momentum.
- Wolves must overcome injury concerns to avoid a third straight defeat.
- Reece James could be a game-changer for Chelsea, both defensively and offensively.
