Date: Sat 14th September 2019
Venue: Molineux Stadium
Kick-off: 15:00 BST
Wolves still haven’t won a game in the Premier League so far this season, yet Chelsea seem to be going into today’s game at Molineux as underdogs.
Without doubt, under Frank Lampard, we look exciting going forward. There looks a decent mix of passion and potential from our early games but potential is something that takes time to reach, so patience will be required. Defensively we’ve looked naïve and the return of Rudiger will certainly be welcome in providing some much needed leadership but he can’t paper over every crack.
This Wolves side will play for the full 90 minutes, so if we don’t take early chances today, we can expect to find ourselves in trouble eventually.
MANAGER’S VIEWS
Going into today’s game, Wolves manager Nuno Espírito Santo, says “He [Frank Lampard] was a fantastic football player and a very good young manager. For sure, he’ll be successful. I admire him a lot. What I know and see from him is a very nice person, he has his ideas well, he’s trying to put them across.”
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard meanwhile, says “[Antonio] Rudiger will have an important role to play. I know how important he has been for the club with his personality, character and quality as an international defender. We have missed him as we have missed a few front line players… leadership is important in a team, particularly when everyone is saying how young we are. I don’t want a young team for the sake of it. I want leaders within that and Rudiger has to take on that responsibility.”
SQUAD NEWS
For Wolves, Wily Boly is suspended following his sending off against Everton and Romain Saiss is a doubt, although Matt Doherty is in contention despite missing international duty.
For Chelsea, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and N’Golo Kante (ankle) remain out, and Emerson Palmieri may miss out after a knock during the internationals. Callum Hudson-Odoi and Reece James aren’t ready for first team action. Antonio Rudiger (knee) however, could finally make a return, along with Pedro (hamstring), and Mateo Kovacic is fit despite withdrawing from international duty.
TEAMS
WOLVES (Possible line-up): Patricio; Bennett, Coady, Vallejo; Traore, Dendoncker, Neves, Moutinho, Otto; Jota, Cutrone
CHELSEA (Possible line-up): Kepa; Azpilicueta, Zouma, Tomori, Alonso; Jorginho; Kovacic; Barkley, Mount, Pulisic; Abraham.
LAST SEASON
Wolves 2-1 Chelsea (5th December 2018)
CURRENT FORM (PL)
WOLVES: DDDL
CHELSEA: LDWD
OTHER STUFF
- Chelsea’s most recent league victory against Wolves was at Molineux in 2012, and Frank Lampard scored the decisive goal.
- Wolves took four points out of a possible six against Chelsea Blues last season.
- Chelsea have won five of their past seven top-flight matches at Molineux
- Wolves have claimed victories in two of the last three meetings at Molineux
- Wolves are unbeaten in 10 home league games since January.
- Wolves have lost just four of 13 Premier League games against the established top-six sides since promotion in 2018.
- Wolves are winless in their first four league matches.
- The only time Chelsea have won fewer than two of their opening five Premier League games was in 2015-16.
- Chelsea have conceded nine Premier League goals this season.
- All three of Chelsea’s Premier League away wins this calendar year have been against newly-promoted sides
- Chelsea are winless in their other eight league matches on the road.
PREDICTION
BBC Sport: Wolves 1-2 Chelsea
Sky Sports: Wolves 2-1 Chelsea
Sportsmole: Wolves 3-1 Chelsea
Blue is the colour
