Since mid-December, Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea has brought home only two victories, beating Shamrock Rovers and Morecambe (10 total goals scored against both) in the Conference League and FA Cup, respectively. No success, however, in the league, where the Blues have not won in over a month. A week ago, in front of their home crowd, the Londoners did not go beyond a draw with revelation Bournemouth (2-2), their second in a row in the Premier League after a 1-1 draw in the derby with Crystal Palace.
A fast of victories that is somewhat ruining what Chelsea had achieved in previous months thanks to the very long string of successes in the various competitions. To the point that fourth place has now become at risk: the competition for a place in the top four is getting thicker and thicker, and Maresca is called upon to find a solution to the problems as quickly as possible to turn things around and avoid taking further steps backward in the standings.
In the twenty-second day’s post-match against Wolverhampton, three points are therefore a must. The Wolves, in fact, are again struggling and give the impression that they have lost the momentum they had after the change of technical leadership (Portuguese Vitor Pereira took O’Neil’s place). In the last two days of the league came two ugly defeats to Forest and Newcastle, both by 3-0, and since Boxing Day the black-and-gold have only gotten the better of a Championship side, Bristol City, who were eliminated from the FA Cup. Salvation is still within reach – Wolves have 16 points – but the relegation zone is again very close and the situation could get worse if Pereira fails to fix a defense that has conceded a whopping 48 goals (the worst along with Leicester’s).
The prediction.
Chelsea has never beaten Wolves in the last 5 league precedents. This time, despite the uninspiring period, it should manage to do so but it cannot be ruled out that the guests will also score at least one goal. Wolverhampton, in fact, is the team that among the last nine in the current standings has scored the most goals (fewer only than Tottenham).
Chelsea-Wolverhampton likely lineups.
CHELSEA (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Enzo Fernandez, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson.
WOLVERHAMPTON (3-4-2-1): Jose Sa; Doherty, Bueno, Agbadou; Rodrigo Gomes, André, Joao Gomes, Ait-Nouri; Hwang, Cunha; Strand Larsen.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
