After an unbeaten run of 17 games across all competitions, The Blues were finally hurdled down this weekend as Frank’s side was beaten 1-0 against Everton. But the good thing in this Chelsea side is that they love to bounce back after every set-back they face. They now face Wolverhampton Wanderers in a mid-week match which could be again a tough challenge considering there was only a two day gap between the two games before mentioned.
Chelsea, in this initial phase of the league, look amongst the teams who could be a competent title contender but to claim the stake for the highest honour in English Football they will have to get through this hefty run of games in the festive month.
TEAM NEWS
Chelsea will visit the Molineux with injury crisis which is termed to be fatal not due to the high numbers, rather due to the quality they miss. On the flanks, Chelsea’s struggle continues as on the right side they miss both their options in form of Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi. On the left they have to force in Timo Werner yet again as Christian Pulisic does not seem fit to start the game and even if he did feature in the game later on, he has to fill the void in the right side of attack. Mendy who felt a bit uneasy after taking a knock in the Everton game now looks fit and will be starting between the posts for The Blues.
WHAT TO EXPECT?
In a game where both teams come after playing just couple of days back, rotation could be seen. Lampard might even want to change a bit in formation considering the depleting numbers he has on the wings. This could mean Chelsea shifting to a back 3 and the full-backs filling as the winger roles. Also the team will try to be a bit more clinical and creative, things which lacked in their display against the Merseyside at Goodison Park.
From the perspective of Wolves, one can expect them to sit deep back and try to exploit Chelsea’s defense with some pacey counter-attacks. But their task would not be easy as Chelsea’s defense is one of the best in the league and players have enough experience to get better of their opponents.
CHELSEA PREDICTED LINEUP
Formation: 3-4-1-2
Mendy; Azpilicueta, Zouma, Silva; Reece James, Mason Mount, Ngolo Kante, Ben Chilwell; Kai Havertz; Olivier Giroud, Timo Werner
