Chelsea journey to Molineux to face Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday, hoping to make it back-to-back wins within the Premier League.
The Blues beat Sheffield United final weekend to bounce again to profitable methods within the Premier League. Additionally, they beat Newcastle United in midweek on penalties to advance to the Carabao Cup semi-finals, the place they’ve been tied with Middlesbrough subsequent month.
Mauricio Pochettino’s facet should shortly flip their focus to the league and get some momentum. They are going to be up in opposition to a Wolves facet coming recent off their worst efficiency of the marketing campaign in opposition to West Ham away final weekend.
Chelsea Workforce Information
Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed in his pre-match press convention that Enzo Fernandez will miss the journey to Wolves after the central midfielder was pressured off with a groin drawback in opposition to Newcastle within the Carabao Cup.
On a optimistic damage replace, Romeo Lavia might be again on Christmas Eve, whereas Noni Madueke and Lesley Ugochukwu have returned to full staff coaching. Nonetheless, Reece James has undergone hamstring surgical procedure and won’t be obtainable for a number of weeks, becoming a member of the likes of Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Cucurella, Wesley Fofana, Carney Chukwuemeka and Robert Sanchez within the therapy room.
Predicted Chelsea lineup vs Wolves (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
Djordje Petrovic’s penalty shootout heroics helped Chelsea overcome Newcastle midweek within the Carabao Cup quarter-finals at Stamford Bridge. He has performed effectively since coming into the facet for the injured Robert Sanchez, and the American will hope to maintain a clear sheet in opposition to Wolves on Sunday.
Defence
Malo Gusto might be rewarded with a begin after his impactful efficiency off the bench in opposition to Newcastle within the Carabao Cup. His inclusion at right-back will see Axel Disasi shift throughout central defence, changing Thiago Silva, who performed your complete sport in midweek, and as such the ageing defender’s workload must be managed effectively.
Benoit Badiashile, eager to atone for his mistake that gifted Newcastle the opening aim at Stamford Bridge, is anticipated to line up alongside Disasi at centre-back. In the meantime, Levi Colwill is anticipated to begin at left-back.
Midfield
Moises Caicedo and Conor Gallagher will stay in the midst of the park for now. Enzo Fernandez lacking out with a groin drawback ought to see Gallagher function from a deeper position alongside Caicedo, with Cole Palmer pulling the strings from the No.10 position.
The trio will look to maintain issues ticking over and disrupt Wolves’ rhythm of play within the centre of the pitch.
Assault
Raheem Sterling will look to deliver creativity and aptitude from the appropriate flank in opposition to Wolves. Mykhaylo Mudryk might occupy the left-wing spot, having come off the bench and scored the important equaliser on the demise within the cup tie in opposition to Newcastle. The Ukrainian will likely be eager to construct on that impactful cameo on Sunday.
Nicolas Jackson might retain his spot up high, regardless of being subbed off early within the second half in opposition to Newcastle in midweek. The Senegalese is the main scorer for Chelsea this season with seven league targets, and he’ll look so as to add to his tally in opposition to Wolves.
Christopher Nkunku lastly made his much-awaited Chelsea debut from the bench within the Carabao Cup victory over Eddie Howe’s Newcastle, and the French attacker might once more get some minutes at Molineux as he seems to be to construct his match health after an extended damage layoff.
I’m Rohan Sengupta from one of many busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a eager curiosity in sports activities, soccer is one thing I merely can’t dwell with out and writing, discussing and analyzing the sport is what I do 24*7.