Chelsea will take on Wolves on the 7th of February at Molineux.
Chelsea travel to face struggling Wolves on Saturday looking to bounce back from their Carabao Cup semi-final defeat to Arsenal in midweek. The Blues are desperate to keep their top-four hopes alive as the race for Champions League qualification intensifies, especially after Manchester United’s surge in form.
Following their 1-0 second-leg defeat at the Emirates, which saw them crash out 4-2 on aggregate after Kai Havertz’s stoppage-time winner, Chelsea sit sixth in the Premier League table with 40 points from 24 games. They are just one point ahead of sixth-placed Liverpool and one behind fourth-placed Manchester United.
Their opponents, Wolves, are in dire straits. The Old Gold sit at the bottom of the table with just 8 points, 18 points from safety with only 14 games remaining. Relegation is all but confirmed despite Rob Edwards making them a bit competitive in recent weeks. They lost 2-0 to Bournemouth last weekend. Wolves also sold their star attacker Jorgen Strand Larsen to Crystal Palace in the January transfer window.
That said, here is how Chelsea could lineup against Wolves.
Predicted Chelsea lineup vs. Wolves
Goalkeeper: Robert Sanchez
Filip Jorgensen picked up an injury against Arsenal in midweek and remains a doubt for Saturday’s trip to Molineux. The Spaniard should continue between the sticks with Jorgensen sidelined.
Defence: Malo Gusto, Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Marc Cucurella
Reece James missed the Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg defeat by Arsenal on Tuesday night after failing a late fitness test. Rosenior said it would be a last-minute decision with the medical staff that determines whether the Chelsea captain is passed fit to feature at Molineux. Malo Gusto should deputize at right-back if James is unavailable once again. Cucurella continues at left-back with Fofana and Chalobah partnering at centre-back. Tosin Adarabioyo remains out with a hamstring injury while Levi Colwill is still recovering from his serious knee injury suffered in pre-season.
Midfield: Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez
The midfield pairing picks itself with both fit and available. Caicedo provides the legs and defensive stability, while Fernandez offers creativity and ball progression.
Attack: Estevao Willian, Cole Palmer, Alejandro Garnacho, Joao Pedro
Jamie Gittens will not be available after Rosenior revealed the winger suffered a tear in his hamstring as he was forced off against West Ham in the first half of last weekend’s 3-2 comeback win at Stamford Bridge. Pedro Neto is also a major doubt. Rosenior was positive about the availability of Cole Palmer and Estevao Willian, saying both were able to play the full 90 minutes if needed. Palmer operates as the number 10, pulling the strings behind Joao Pedro, who leads the line with nine Premier League goals this season. Estevao should start on the right with Alejandro Garnacho on the left.