Chelsea Look to Punish Struggling Wolves at Stamford Bridge
Wolves Begin a New Chapter
Wolverhampton Wanderers begin life after Vitor Pereira in the toughest possible way as they head to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea. Pereira’s dismissal followed a 3-0 defeat to Fulham, which left Wolves at the bottom of the Premier League and still searching for their first win of the season.
The Old Gold have been chasing games for most of their campaign, spending nearly 60% of their time behind on the scoreboard. That lack of control cost Pereira his job, and the club is now led temporarily by Under-21s coach James Collins and Under-18s boss Richard Walker. They face a massive challenge: Wolves have not won a league match since April and are already eight points from safety.
Middlesbrough’s Rob Edwards is currently the favourite to take over permanently, but whoever steps into the role will inherit a side desperate for belief and leadership.
Chelsea Fighting Fatigue After Europe
Chelsea return home after a long and disappointing trip to Azerbaijan, where they were held to a 2-2 draw by Qarabag in the Champions League. Despite taking an early lead through Estevao Willian, the Blues needed Alejandro Garnacho to save them from an embarrassing defeat.
Enzo Maresca’s side have shown flashes of brilliance but remain inconsistent. In their last six league games, they have won three and lost three. However, their recent 1-0 win over Tottenham was a solid reminder of their defensive discipline and attacking power when it clicks.
The Blues currently sit seventh in the table, level on points with Manchester United, and will be eager to build momentum before the international break. They have been trailing in games less than almost any other Premier League team this season, a sign that control is growing under Maresca.
Team News
Chelsea’s injury problems continue to mount. Romeo Lavia suffered a thigh injury in midweek and joins Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill, Dario Essugo, Benoit Badiashile and the suspended Mykhaylo Mudryk on the sidelines. The good news is that Pedro Neto is fit again and ready to face his former club, while Liam Delap is back from suspension.
Wolves have their own issues. Emmanuel Agbadou is suspended following a red card against Fulham, while Matt Doherty, Leon Chiwome and Rodrigo Gomes remain injured. Ladislav Krejci is expected to drop deeper to fill the defensive gap, and midfielders Andre, Joao Gomes and Jackson Tchatchoua could return to the starting lineup.
Prediction
Chelsea are far from perfect, but facing a Wolves side in crisis should be exactly what they need to get back on track. Even with tired legs after their European trip, the quality gap is too wide to ignore.
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Please note: this is only an analysis, and we take no responsibility for any bets placed by readers.
