Wolves vs Chelsea Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 English Premier League
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THE FACTS
When is Wolves vs Chelsea on and what time does it start? Wolves vs Chelsea will take place on Sunday 24th December, 2023 – 13:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Wolves vs Chelsea? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Wolves vs Chelsea on in the UK? Television rights for the Premier League in the UK are shared between Sky Sports, TNT Sports and Amazon Prime so it is worth checking their schedules for Wolves vs Chelsea
Where can I stream Wolves vs Chelsea in the UK? If Wolves vs Chelsea is televised, then it can be streamed on either Sky Go, discovery+ or Amazon Prime Video depending on who is broadcasting the match
THE LOWDOWN
WOLVES
Gary O’Neil is not necessarily under a lot of pressure at Molineux but Wolverhampton Wanderers supporters will be keen for a response from their side after they were hammered by three goals to nil at the London Stadium by West Ham United last weekend. Wolves begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting in the bottom-half of the table.
That hammering in east London last week means that they have now managed just one win in five matches since their dramatic from behind victory over Tottenham Hotspur in mid-November. O’Neil has produced some impressive tactical game plans this season but their lack of consistency will soon become a bit of a major concern as they look over their shoulder.
CHELSEA
Mauricio Pochettino is leading a Chelsea side that have struggled for consistency throughout the campaign and have struggled to get over the line with victories. They managed to edge past Newcastle United on penalties in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup in midweek but remained fairly unconvincing in their performance.
The Blues begin this weekend sitting just inside the top-half of the table after a fairly frustrating 2-0 defeat of bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United last weekend. Chelsea have failed to win 36 of their last 46 matches in the Premier League as they continue to get to grips with the fairly bizarre project and recruitment policy of Todd Boehly.
THE TEAM NEWS
WOLVES
Gary O’Neil has confirmed that Portuguese goalkeeper Jose Sa is ‘fit and ready’ for the visit of Chelsea on Christmas Eve. He could be joined by compatriot Pedro Neto with the winger returning to training this week.
The former Bournemouth boss has been without the likes of Craig Dawson, Matheus Cunha, Nelson Semedo and Mario Lemina in training due to illness but all returned on Thursday so should be involved on Sunday.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Sa; Kilman, Dawson, Toti; Semedo, Lemina, Gomes, Bellegarde; Hwang, Cunha, Sarabia
UNAVAILABLE: Hodge (Injured), Jonny (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Dawson (Illness), Semedo (Illness), Lemina (Illness), Neto (Fitness), Cunha (Illness)
CHELSEA
Mauricio Pochettino has had to deal with a lot of injuries and disruptions to his squad this season and his captain, Reece James, had already been confirmed to be out for a while but it has now been confirmed that he will undergo hamstring surgery in Finland, keeping him sidelined until April.
The Blues have recently welcomed back Christopher Nkunku but they have plenty of injury concerns remaining, such as Marc Cucurella and Robert Sanchez, and now Enzo Fernandez was forced off in their game against Newcastle in midweek.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Gusto, Silva, Badiashile, Colwill; Gallagher, Caicedo; Sterling, Palmer, Mudryk; Jackson
UNAVAILABLE: Sanchez (Injured), Chalobah (Injured), Fofana (Injured), Cucurella (Injured), James (Injured), Chilwell (Injured), Lavia (Injured), Ugochukwu (Injured), Chukwuemeka (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Colwill (Fatigue), Fernandez (Illness), Madueke (Fitness)
THE PREDICTION
Gary O’Neil’s ‘best bits’ as a manager have come in games such as these. Whether at Bournemouth or with Wolves, home games against some of the league’s so-called better sides, albeit Chelsea may not be justified in falling into that category anymore. They have already pulled off victories against both Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur at Molineux this season. The Blues just don’t win that often anymore. Even their cup quarter-final victory came after a penalty shootout and, as a result, there is value in a double chance backing the home side.
TIP: DOUBLE CHANCE – WOLVES OR DRAW
