Wolves vs. Chelsea: Preview, Predictions and Lineups

Molineux hosts a lopsided-looking Premier League encounter on Saturday as rock-bottom Wolverhampton Wanderers welcome high-flying Chelsea, whose Champions League quest shows no sign of stalling under new boss Liam Rosenior.

Rosenior’s record since taking over from Enzo Maresca makes impressive reading: three straight league wins, fifth place in the table, and an unbeaten domestic start punctuated only by Tuesday’s Carabao Cup exit at Arsenal. Even that 4-2 aggregate defeat drew grudging respect; the manager’s safety-first approach kept the tie alive until the final whistle at the Emirates, though pundits argued it blunted Chelsea’s attacking edge.

The Blues will hope to rediscover that edge against a Wolves side staring at the Championship. Rob Edwards’ men sit dead last, 18 points adrift of safety, and have lost their last two after a brief mid-season respite. Relegation appears a matter of when, not if.

Team news offers little comfort for the hosts. Deadline-day departure of Emmanuel Agbadou to Beşiktaş strips Wolves of a starter, while Toti Gomes’ hamstring problem keeps him out until later this month. Adam Armstrong’s knock rules out a debut, leaving Hwang Hee-chan to partner Tolu Arokodare. Veteran Matt Doherty could slot into a back three if Ladislav Krejčí overcomes his own fitness doubt.

Wolves projected XI (3-5-2): Sá; Mosquera, S. Bueno, Krejčí; R. Gomes, Mané, André, J. Gomes, H. Bueno; Hwang, Arokodare.

Chelsea’s infirmary remains busy. Jamie Gittens’ hamstring tear likely ends his campaign, while Reece James and Pedro Neto face late fitness tests. Cole Palmer and teenage prodigy Estêvão are both cleared for 90 minutes, offering Rosenior welcome creativity. Dário Essugo, Roméo Lavia, Tosin Adarabioyo, Filip Jörgensen and Levi Colwill remain sidelined.

Chelsea projected XI (4-2-3-1): Sánchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Badiashile, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernández; Estêvão, Palmer, Garnacho; Pedro.

Expect the visitors to dictate tempo from the outset. Wolves have mustered little resistance in recent weeks, and anything short of a convincing Chelsea win would register as a surprise. For Edwards, the focus has already shifted to pride and planning for life in the second tier; for Rosenior, another three points will keep the heat on Manchester United and Liverpool in the race for top-four places.

Prediction: Wolves 0–3 Chelsea