Chelsea will aim to get back into the top four when they take on Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday.
Chelsea will host Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge on Monday night, in a clash that carries significance for both teams at opposite ends of the Premier League table. Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea side are in the hunt for Champions League qualification, while Wolves are battling to avoid relegation.
Chelsea come into the match sitting fifth in the Premier League standings, with 37 points from 21 matches. The Blues are just one point behind fourth-placed Newcastle United and will view this fixture as an opportunity to return to the top four. However, their recent form has been inconsistent.
Chelsea were held to a frustrating 2-2 draw by Bournemouth in their last league outing, with Cole Palmer rescuing a point in the dying moments of the game. The result extended their winless run in the Premier League to five matches, with three draws and two losses in that span.
Despite their recent struggles, Chelsea have been prolific in front of goal this season, scoring 41 goals, the fourth-highest tally in the league. However, their attack has sputtered in recent weeks, managing just four goals in their last five league games. Defensive issues have also plagued the Blues, with only four clean sheets recorded all season and seven goals conceded in their last four matches.
Stamford Bridge remains a fortress for Chelsea, with just one defeat in their last 15 home games across all competitions. However, recent home form has dipped slightly, with a draw and a loss in their last three matches. The reverse fixture against Wolves in August was a resounding 6-2 victory for Chelsea, with Noni Madueke starring with a hat-trick. Maresca will hope his side can replicate that dominant performance.
Wolves, meanwhile, are in a precarious position, sitting 17th in the table with 16 points. They are level with 18th-placed Ipswich Town, and their Premier League survival remains uncertain. Vitor Pereira’s tenure started brightly, with back-to-back wins over Leicester City and Manchester United. But the early momentum has faded. Wolves have taken just one point from their last three matches, including a 3-0 defeat against Newcastle United last time out.
Despite their low position, Wolves have shown attacking potential this season, scoring 31 goals, more than most other teams in the bottom half of the table. However, their defence has been their Achilles heel, conceding 48 goals — making them the joint-worst defensive side in the league. Pereira will be looking to shore up his backline while retaining the attacking threat his side has shown.
Wolves’ away form has been inconsistent, with two wins, one draw, and three losses in their last six games on the road. While they will take confidence from creating chances even in defeat, their defensive frailty will need to be addressed if they are to take anything from Stamford Bridge. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
Chelsea
Chelsea are grappling with several injury concerns ahead of their critical encounter with Wolverhampton Wanderers. Centre-backs Benoit Badiashile and Wesley Fofana are ruled out, while Levi Colwill remains a doubt. If Colwill is deemed fit, he is expected to partner Trevoh Chalobah at the heart of the defence. Chalobah, who was recently recalled from his loan spell at Crystal Palace, may be handed an immediate starting role to shore up Chelsea’s backline.
In midfield, Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer are also fitness concerns. However, given their integral roles in the squad, it would be surprising if either were omitted from the starting lineup. Moises Caicedo is almost certain to retain his spot in midfield, where his defensive acumen and ball-winning abilities will be crucial. Together, Fernandez and Caicedo will look to control the game and provide a solid foundation for the attacking unit.
The attacking setup is expected to feature Jadon Sancho and Noni Madueke on the wings, with Nicolas Jackson leading the line as the central striker. Madueke’s pace and flair, combined with Sancho’s creativity and ability to beat defenders, will be essential in exploiting Wolves’ defensive vulnerabilities. Cole Palmer, operating as the central attacking midfielder, will serve as the creative hub, tasked with linking midfield and attack. Jackson’s movement and sharpness in front of goal will be key in converting chances into goals.
Chelsea will likely deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Robert Sanchez in goal and a defensive line comprising Reece James, Chalobah, Colwill (if fit), and Marc Cucurella. The midfield duo of Fernandez and Caicedo will anchor the side, while Madueke, Palmer, and Sancho provide width and creativity behind Jackson.
Maresca will aim to dominate possession, apply high pressing, and leverage the attacking strengths of his side to break down Wolves and secure a vital three points in their chase for a top-four finish.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson
Wolverhampton Wanderers
The visitors face a host of selection issues heading into their clash against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Midfielder Boubacar Traore is unavailable, paving the way for Andre and Joao Gomes to partner in the centre of the park. This midfield duo will be tasked with breaking up Chelsea’s play and providing support in both defensive and attacking transitions.
The defensive line is also depleted, with Toti Gomes and Yerson Mosquera ruled out. In their absence, manager Vitor Pereira is likely to deploy a back three consisting of Matt Doherty, Santiago Bueno, and Emmanuel Agbadou. Doherty’s versatility will be crucial in ensuring defensive solidity and aiding transitions down the right flank, while Bueno and Agbadou provide aerial presence and physicality.
In attack, Wolves will be without winger Enso Gonzalez and striker Sasa Kalajdzic, while Matheus Cunha, who has been dealing with illness, is still expected to feature. Cunha will likely lead the line, supported by Hwang Hee-chan and Jorgen Strand Larsen operating as creative outlets behind the striker. Hwang’s ability to stretch defences and Larsen’s technical proficiency will be key in creating opportunities against Chelsea’s backline.
Wolves are expected to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Jose Sa guarding the goal. The back three of Doherty, Bueno, and Agbadou will aim to maintain a compact shape, while wing-backs Rayan Ait-Nouri and Rodrigo Gomes offer width and defensive cover.
Andre and Joao Gomes will anchor the midfield, while Hwang and Larsen operate just behind Cunha in the final third. Pereira’s side will look to absorb pressure and exploit counter-attacking opportunities, hoping to make the most of Chelsea’s defensive vulnerabilities.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Sa; Doherty, Bueno, Agbadou; Rodrigo Gomes, Andre, Joao Gomes, Ait-Nouri; Hwang, Cunha; Larsen
Key Stats
- Chelsea have lost three of their last four Premier League games against Wolves, as many defeats as they suffered in their previous 17 matches against them (W10 D4). However, Chelsea did win the reverse fixture earlier this season, 6-2.
- Wolves won this exact fixture 4-2 last season, with Matheus Cunha scoring a hat-trick. However, they have not managed consecutive away league wins against Chelsea since February 1964.
- Chelsea had won eight consecutive Monday night Premier League games between September 2020 and April 2024 but lost their last Monday night game against Ipswich last month. They have not lost consecutive Monday-night matches since 2015.
- Chelsea are winless in their last five Premier League games (D3 L2), marking their longest streak without a victory in a single campaign since their run of seven winless games between March and May 2023.
- Wolves have lost both of their Premier League games in 2025 by three-goal margins, suffering 3-0 defeats to Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United. The last side to lose their opening three top-flight games of a calendar year by three or more goals was Forest back in 1910.
Player to Watch
Cole Palmer
The 21-year-old has been instrumental in Chelsea’s attacking transitions this season, showcasing his creativity and composure in the final third. Palmer’s vision and ability to pick out precise passes have made him one of the Blues’ most reliable contributors in the Premier League.
As a versatile player, capable of operating both centrally and on the flanks, the Englishman provides Chelsea with tactical flexibility and unpredictability. His link-up play with the likes of Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke has been a key feature of Chelsea’s attacking setup.
Facing a Wolves side with one of the leakiest defences in the league, Palmer’s ability to exploit spaces and unlock defences could prove decisive. With his confidence growing game by game, expect Palmer to be at the heart of Chelsea’s offensive efforts as they look to end their winless streak and reignite their push for a Champions League spot.
Prediction
Chelsea 3-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Chelsea’s superior quality and home advantage should be enough to see them past Wolves, who have struggled defensively all season. However, given Chelsea’s recent issues at both ends of the pitch, it may not be a walkover. Expect a high-scoring affair, with the Blues likely edging out their visitors.
