Game Week 25 Predictions: Straight win Chelsea against Wolves

Premier League preview: Wolves vs Chelsea at Molineux – Blues seek bounce-back post-League Cup exit, Wolves relegation-bound; verdict Chelsea to win.

 

Chelsea must take advantage of Wolves' problems to win a game that could help their top four finish. (Photo credit: Khel)

Wolves vs Chelsea

Molineux Stadium

Kick-off: 4:00pm

Chelsea needs a big result here to bounce back from midweek disappointment. They offered very little in their League Cup exit and, truthfully, have no one else to blame for crashing out.

At the Emirates, Chelsea set up simply to soak up pressure. Trailing on aggregate, away at a ground where they had not won for years, they barely tried to impose themselves. Liam Rosenior has to take responsibility for that approach; the fans deserved more ambition.

There are no guarantees that a more aggressive plan would have delivered victory. Still, at least he would have been remembered as a manager who had nothing to lose and gave everything, rather than one who appeared not to try when the opportunity was there.

Wolves, meanwhile, look destined for relegation. With 14 games left, they are already miles off any meaningful targets, and while no one expected them to challenge for honours, survival now feels like an uphill battle. On paper, this should be Chelsea’s game to win.

That said, Wolves can still act as spoilers. Chelsea need three points to keep their top-four hopes alive. With Aston Villa facing a confident Bournemouth side, there is room for movement, but Chelsea must take care of their own business before relying on others.

There is also the matter of Manchester United hosting Spurs. If Tottenham can take something from Old Trafford, it could further boost Chelsea’s ambitions. Add to that Liverpool hosting title-chasing Manchester City, and once again the Blues are allowed to dream.

Wolves have nothing to lose. Leeds United have pulled clear after beating Forest on Friday night, leaving the Midlands club chasing shadows. Still, they won’t throw in the towel just yet and will look to test Chelsea at Molineux.

Chelsea will be without Jamie Gittens and Pedro Neto, while Reece James faces a late fitness test. After failing to test Arsenal in midweek, the Blues have no excuses against Wolves.

With Jørgen Strand Larsen gone, Rob Edwards has confirmed that Jhon Arias will partner Tolu Arokodare in attack alongside Korean forward Hwang Hee-chan. Mateus Mané remains Wolves’ creative spark, can he shine again against the Blues?

Verdict: Chelsea win.