Enzo Maresca won’t let Chelsea get complacent after hammering Wolves within the reverse Premier League assembly this time period – the pair conflict once more at Stamford Bridge on Monday.
Noni Madueke scored a hat-trick as Chelsea thumped Wolves – then managed by Gary O’Neil – 6-2 at Molineux in late August.
O’Neil has since been dismissed and Vitor Pereira appointed as the brand new Wolves boss, and Maresca expects a completely completely different problem.
“They modified their supervisor. Now, it not the identical thought. I don’t assume the final sport might be [relevant] for us or for them,” Maresca stated at his pre-match press convention.
“It’s a new sport with a brand new supervisor and a unique approach to assault and defend. We might be prepared the way in which we had been for the previous few video games to get the three factors.”
Getting set for Wolves. pic.twitter.com/uL7KvkdoO6
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 18, 2025
Wolves are seventeenth and solely away from the relegation zone on objective distinction, whereas Chelsea – who’re winless throughout their final 5 league video games – occupy fifth within the desk.
Pereira hopes to spice up his squad on this month’s switch window, although he’s relishing the “struggle” no matter any potential signings.
“Extra options, extra options to assist,” Pereira stated. “I’m very pleased with the staff and gamers I’ve, however we want extra options in midfield, possibly one other defender.
“We are attempting to grasp the market, it relies upon what we discover. If we discover the suitable gamers to convey – OK. If not, it’s higher to convey no-one.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Chelsea – Cole Palmer
Maresca can be determined to see Cole Palmer shake off a knock that has left him uncertain for Monday’s conflict.
Palmer has been concerned in 5 objectives in his final two Premier League video games in opposition to Wolves, scoring two and aiding three – together with every of Madueke’s hat-trick final outing.
Wolves – Matheus Cunha
Matheus Cunha is averaging 3.3 photographs per 90 minutes within the Premier League for Wolves this season, although was left on the bench for Wednesday’s 3-0 loss at Newcastle United.
Amongst gamers to play 1,000+ minutes in a marketing campaign for them, solely Henri Camara in 2003-04 has averaged extra photographs in a single season (4 per 90 minutes).
MATCH PREDICTION – CHELSEA WIN
Chelsea are the heavy favourites for victory, regardless of not successful any of their final 5 Premier League video games – that they had received all 5 earlier than this streak.
Wolves could have been 4-2 victors on this precise fixture final time period, however the guests haven’t managed back-to-back away league wins at Stamford Bridge since February 1964.
Nevertheless, Chelsea have misplaced three of their final 4 Premier League video games in opposition to Wolves, as many as that they had of their earlier 17 (W10 D4).
They did win the aforementioned reverse fixture 6-2 in August, although, and Wolves’ type heading into this conflict is woeful.
Pereira’s aspect have misplaced 3-0 in consecutive video games in opposition to Nottingham Forest and Newcastle – they might turn into the primary top-flight aspect since 1910 (additionally Forest) to open a calendar 12 months with three straight losses by three or extra objectives.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Chelsea win – 65.7%
Draw – 18.2%
Wolves win – 16.1%