Wolves vs Chelsea: Match preview, possible lineups, predictions and Team News

Wolves vs Chelsea

Wolves vs Chelsea: Match preview, possible lineups, predictions and Team News

Hassan Abdulsalam 11:27 - 22.12.2023

This match presents an exciting prospect for football fans, with both teams eager to secure points during the festive period.

The Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers (Wolves) and Chelsea is set to take place on Sunday, 24th December 2023, at 2 pm WAT at Molineux Stadium. 

This match is notable for being the first Premier League Christmas Eve fixture since 1995.

Team Forms and Lineups:

Wolves: The team has been inconsistent lately, with just one win in their last five matches since a dramatic victory over Tottenham Hotspur in mid-November. They suffered a 3-0 defeat against West Ham United in their previous game, their 13th loss on the road in 2023. 

Gary O'Neil, Wolves' manager, may have some tactical surprises, given his past performances in home games against stronger teams. Key players like Jose Sa and Pedro Neto might return to action, enhancing the team's strength.

Chelsea: Under the leadership of Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea has also experienced inconsistency. 

They recently edged past Newcastle United in the EFL Cup quarter-finals but have struggled in the Premier League, sitting just inside the top half of the table. They deal with several injuries, including key players like Reece James and Enzo Fernandez.

Predicted Lineups:

Wolves: Likely to adopt a 3-4-3 formation with Sa; Kilman, Dawson, Toti; Semedo, Lemina, Gomes, Bellegarde; Hwang, Cunha, Sarabia.

Wolves vs Chelsea
Wolves vs Chelsea Wolves vs Chelsea

Chelsea: Expected to play in a 4-2-3-1 setup with Petrovic; Gusto, Silva, Badiashile, Colwill; Gallagher, Caicedo; Sterling, Palmer, Mudryk; Jackson.

Head-to-Head and Rivalry:

Historically, Wolves and Chelsea have had a competitive rivalry. In the last five meetings, Wolves have won once, Chelsea, and three matches have ended in draws.

Wolves have a solid record against Chelsea in recent league matches, with just one defeat in their last six encounters, and haven't lost at home against Chelsea since September 2019.

Key Players to Watch:

Wolves: Jose Sa, Pedro Neto, and Matheus Cunha.

Chelsea: Christopher Nkunku, Raheem Sterling, and Mykhailo Mudryk.

Analysis and Prediction:

Wolves have shown their capability to secure victories against top teams at home, with wins over Manchester City and Tottenham this season.

Chelsea's recent form shows signs of recovery, but their inconsistency remains a concern.

A prediction for this match points towards a close contest, possibly ending in a draw or a narrow win for either side.

Wolves vs Chelsea
Wolves vs Chelsea

Watching the Game:

In Nigeria, the match will be broadcast on Supersports at 2 pm WAT

This match presents an exciting prospect for football fans, with both teams eager to secure points during the festive period. The outcome could go either way, making it a must-watch season fixture.​​​​​

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