Chelsea welcome Wolves to Stamford Bridge in an attempt tobounce back from last weekend’s flattening defeat at relegation-threatened Everton.
The Blues were stunned by Everton’s and Jordan Pickford’s heroics last time out and will be desperate to return to winning ways as both Arsenal and Tottenham still could overhaul them in the top-four race. Granted, for Spurs to have a realistic chance they will need to beat Liverpool on Saturday, but the wheels could still fall off with the sale of the club still in limbo.
Fortunately, Chelsea’s chances of staying third until the season’s end are boosted by facing Saturday’s opponents; no goals in a run of three defeats, including a dismal 3-0 loss at home to Brighton last weekend, suggests Bruno Lage’s side have somewhat checked out on the campaign and may be looking forward to a hard-earned rest. Thomas Tuchel will be in the mood to give them anything but.
The Visitors – Wolves
Many would be forgiven for thinking Bruno Lage had cracked the code with Wolves during the middle of the season; the West Midlands side went on a terrific run of wins and clean sheets, earning them shouts for a potential Europa League placed finish.
The past few months however have been rather sobering; injuries to attacking players and a general lack of end-of-season impetus has seen performance levels sharply decline and their usual defence discipline abandoned.
However, Lage’s side could still yet find themselves in contention for a Europa Conference League finish if they pick up a win on Saturday. Wolves will stick to their accustomed 3-4-3 (likely mirroring Chelsea’s formation) and look to soak up pressure from the hosts before attacking the vacant wing-back positions.
Daniel Podence (foot) and Nelson Semedo (thigh) will miss out for the visitors, who also have doubts over reported Chelsea target Max Kilman.
Chelsea Team News
Thomas Tuchel faces a headache in his team selection having kept faith with his struggling attackers for the defeat to lowly Everton – only for them to fail to score at Goodison Park.
Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic are pushing for recalls, while Romelu Lukaku appears to have been virtually discarded as a starting option by his manager.
Chelsea are without N’Golo Kante and Jorginho in midfield, whereas Andreas Christensen and Ross Barkley continue their recovery from illness. Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ben Chilwell likewise remain out.
Expect starts for Mateo Kovacic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek – arguably Chelsea’s standout performer last weekend – in midfield, whilst Tuchel may also rotate the likes of Havertzand Werner due to poor form.
Predicted line-up (3-4-3): Mendy; Chalobah, Silva, Rüdiger; James, Loftus-Cheek, Kovacic, Alonso; Mount, Havertz, Pulisic.
Prediction: 2-0
Chelsea rarely record comfortable home victories in the league, but a welcome return for Kovacic and Wolves’ poor form will be too much to contend with for the visitors. A low-key affair that the Blues will triumph in.
