Wolves are gearing up for a challenging Premier League clash against Chelsea on Monday Night Football, and the odds seem stacked against them. Their recent form has been concerning, with a disheartening 3-0 defeat to Newcastle United marking their second consecutive loss. With the team slipping dangerously close to the relegation zone, the pressure is mounting on head coach Vitor Pereira to turn things around, especially with a tough fixture list ahead, which includes facing teams that are chasing European spots.
The loss to Newcastle has left Wolves with little room for error, and the upcoming encounter with Chelsea promises to be another tough test. Chelsea, despite their struggles this season, are viewed by many as clear favorites for the win, particularly after Wolves’ inability to find form in recent weeks. However, football is never predictable, and Wolves will draw some hope from last season’s remarkable 4-2 victory at Stamford Bridge—an outcome that serves as a reminder that anything can happen in the Premier League.
Wolves’ preparations for the Chelsea match have been a mix of good and bad news. Pereira addressed the media on Friday and provided updates on some of the key players ahead of the match. The biggest concern is the fitness of talisman Matheus Cunha. The 10-goal forward has been a standout performer for Wolves this season, but he is currently a doubt for the Chelsea match due to illness. Pereira explained that Cunha’s participation will depend on whether he can train and recover in time before Monday’s match. Wolves fans will be hoping Cunha can make a swift recovery, as his presence in the attack is crucial for the team’s chances of success against a formidable Chelsea side.
On a more positive note, Wolves are expecting the return of Toti Gomes, who has missed the last three games due to injury. Gomes is expected to be fit for next week’s fixtures, providing a much-needed boost to the defense. In addition, midfielder Boubacar Traore, who has been out of action for a while, has been spotted training with the team this week. While it’s unclear whether he will be ready to feature in the Chelsea match, his return to fitness is an encouraging sign for the future.
Wolves’ forward Sasa Kalajdzic, who has been sidelined for a significant period, is also edging closer to a return. Though he may not be available for the Chelsea game, his potential return could offer Pereira more options in attack in the coming weeks.
Chelsea, on the other hand, have their own injury concerns heading into the match. Star forward Cole Palmer could miss the clash with Wolves after sitting out Friday’s training session. Palmer, who has been in exceptional form this season, scoring 14 goals and providing 6 assists, is a crucial player for Chelsea, and his absence would undoubtedly weaken their attacking options. The possibility of Palmer missing out is a welcome piece of news for Wolves, who will look to take advantage of any Chelsea weaknesses.
As for the Wolves lineup, Pereira is likely to make some changes after the disappointing loss to Newcastle. Several players are at risk of being dropped, including Hwang Hee-chan, who struggled in the previous match. Hwang was replaced at halftime by Cunha, and should Cunha be fit, he will likely start in place of the South Korean forward. However, if Cunha is unavailable, Hwang could be given another chance, though his performance against Newcastle will certainly weigh heavily on Pereira’s decision.
Another player at risk of losing his place is Goncalo Guedes, who also had a below-par performance in the loss to Newcastle. Guedes has been inconsistent this season, but with limited options on the bench, Pereira might have no choice but to retain him in the starting XI. Jorgen Strand Larsen, who received criticism for missing key chances against Newcastle, could also be under pressure to perform. However, due to the lack of viable alternatives in the forward line, Larsen is likely to keep his spot in the starting XI.
A potential change in the Wolves lineup could see captain Nelson Semedo return to the starting XI in place of Rodrigo Gomes, who has struggled to make an impact in recent matches. Semedo’s experience and leadership could be valuable against a high-quality Chelsea team, and Pereira will be keen to restore some stability to the defense.
The predicted Wolves XI for the Chelsea match is likely to include:
Wolves’ Predicted XI vs Chelsea: Sa; Doherty, Bueno, Agbadou; Semedo, Andre, J. Gomes, Ait-Nouri; Guedes, Cunha, Strand Larsen.
While Chelsea may be the favorites going into the match, Wolves can take confidence from their previous victory over the Blues. Despite their poor form, Wolves have the capability to spring an upset, especially if Cunha is fit to play and the team can find some spark in attack. It will be a difficult task, but Pereira will be hoping his players can rise to the occasion and secure a vital three points to help them climb away from the bottom three.
The pressure is on for Wolves, and with a busy and unforgiving schedule ahead, they need to start picking up points—especially in home fixtures like this one. Chelsea will come into the match with confidence, but Wolves will be hoping that their recent history against the Blues will inspire them to pull off another memorable result.