It is match-day 20 and we have our first reverse fixtures of the season. Chelsea host Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday, 18:00 local time.
It will be a rather strange game for Chelsea, who take on Wolves after the dismissal of head coach Frank Lampard, just 18 months after his arrival. Thomas Tuchel will take over the reins from Frank Lampard.
Welcome to Chelsea, Thomas Tuchel! ✍️🔵 #WelcomeTuchel
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 26, 2021
Chelsea’s recent form in the Premier League has been nothing short of disappointing, which has been the key reason behind Lampard’s sack. The blues have won just 2 out of their last 8 games. Due to this extremely poor run of games, Chelsea finds themselves at 9th place with just 29 points after 19 games.
The visitors on the other hand have had issues of their own. Wolves are winless in 6 premier league games now; their last victory coming against their opponents Chelsea.
Wolves’ hopes will be boosted by the recruitment of 29-year-old striker, William Jose, who might be in contention to face Chelsea at the Bridge. The unexpected long term injury to talisman Raul Jimenez has caused deep attacking woes to this Wolverhampton side and Nuno will be hoping that William Jose will be able to fill in for the injured Jimenez.
Chelsea on the other hand will play this game just hours after the arrival of Thomas Tuchel and it will be really interesting to see how the blues line-up.
Team News:
The host might be without N Golo Kante, who is still working his way back to full fitness. On the other hand, Wolves will have to cope up without the likes of Jonny, Podence, Otto, Marcal, and Jimenez.
Predicted XI:
Chelsea (4-2-3-1) – Mendy, Zouma, Silva, Chilwell, Mount, Kovacic, Havertz, Ziyech, Pulisic, Werner.
Wolves (4-3-3) – Patricio, Samedo, Coady, Boly, Saiss, Neves, Moutinho, Dendonker, Traore, Jose, Neto.
This game will be very tough to call as it remains to be seen if Chelsea’s new manager bounce phenomenon will be in play this week and there is a high degree of uncertainty about the tactics and players. This can be fully exploited by Nuno’s men who will aim to complete a double over Chelsea, completely opposite to what happened last season.
