Chelsea vs Wolves Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Managerless Wolves visit Stamford Bridge to take on a Chelsea side who have lost just once in their last eight competitive matches.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – NBC
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – Fubo & Peacock Premium
Chelsea preview: Derby win
A Joao Pedro goal was enough to give Chelsea all thee points in their London derby with Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last weekend, which allowed them to draw level on 17 points with their city rivals in the Premier League table.
Enzo Maresca's men were then somewhat surprisingly held to a 2-2 draw by Azerbaijani side Qarabag in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, and they currently sit 12th in the league phase of that competition.
Wolves preview: Pereira sacked
Last Saturday's 3-0 defeat against Fulham at Craven Cottage spelled the end of Vitor Pereira's time in charge of the first team, with his sacking coming less than two months after he had signed a new three-year deal at the west midlands club.
Academy coaches James Collins and Richard Walker will step in while a permanent solution is sought, and they take charge of a side who sit rock-bottom of the Premier League table having failed to win any of their first ten league games in 2025-26.
Chelsea team news: Lavia out
Romeo Lavia lasted just eight minutes of Wednesday's Champions League fixture before injuring his quad, and while a clear diagnosis is not yet available, it has been confirmed that he will definitely miss this fixture.
Pedro Neto will be a late call, with Estevao potentially starting on the wing should the Portuguese international fail to prove his fitness.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; James, Caicedo, Fernandez; Estevao, Fernandez, Garnacho; Pedro
Unavailable: Colwill (Injured), Badiashile (Injured), Lavia (Injured), Essugo (Injured), Palmer (Injured), Mudryk (Suspended)
Questionable: Neto (Injured)
Wolves team news: Agbadou suspended
Emmanuel Agbadou is suspended after he received his marching orders against Fulham, while Matt Doherty, Rodrigo Gomes and Leon Chiwome are absent through injury.
Stand-in boss Collins hinted that he may offer playing time to some academy recruits, but it remains to be seen whether that is from the start or from the bench.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Johnstone; Krejci, S. Bueno, T. Gomes; Hoever, Munetsi, Andre, H Bueno; Arias, Bellegarde; Strand Larsen
Unavailable: Doherty (Injured), Agbadou (Suspended), R. Gomes (Injured), Chiwome (Injured)
Questionable:
Chelsea vs Wolves prediction
Chelsea have lost just one of their last eight games across all competitions, and that run includes a thrilling 3-4 victory at Wolves in the fourth round of the EFL Cup less than two weeks ago.
Since then, winless Wolves have dismissed their manager, but with no permanent replacement in post right now, it seems unlikely that there will be an immediate improvement in performances.
The hosts simply boast far more quality in their ranks, and should be comfortable victors in this fixture.
Chelsea vs Wolves tip: Double result – Chelsea / Chelsea
