Wolverhampton Wanderers will host Chelsea in an intriguing Premier League fixture at Molineux Stadium. Wolves have had a challenging start to the season, while Chelsea, despite their ups and downs, remain the favorites to secure a win. Both teams have shown potential in attack, but their defensive inconsistencies could make this a high-scoring affair.
Key Stats & Insights
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Wolverhampton Wanderers:
- Recent Form: 1 win, 7 losses, and 2 draws in their last 10 Premier League matches.
- Goals: Averaging 0.8 goals per game with 50.8% possession.
- Defensive Record: Conceding 2.1 goals per match, with only 3 clean sheets in the last 10 games.
- Top Scorer: Matheus Cunha with 3 goals.
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Chelsea:
- Recent Form: 6 wins, 2 losses, and 2 draws in their last 10 Premier League matches.
- Goals: Averaging 2.4 goals per game, highlighting their attacking strength.
- Defensive Record: Conceding 1.5 goals per match, with 3 clean sheets in the last 10 games.
- Top Scorer: Cole Palmer with 6 goals.
Team Form and Performance
- Wolverhampton Wanderers have struggled this season, particularly in defense. Despite a resilient performance in some matches, they have found it difficult to keep opponents at bay. Their lack of goals has also been a significant issue, making it challenging to secure positive results.
- Chelsea have shown glimpses of their potential, especially in attack. However, inconsistency and injuries have plagued their season. With key players like Cole Palmer stepping up, Chelsea will look to capitalize on Wolves’ defensive weaknesses.
Head-to-Head Records
- Last 10 Matches: Wolves have won 4, Chelsea 4, and 2 have ended in draws.
- Recent Encounters: Wolves won the last encounter 4-2, continuing their strong recent form against Chelsea.
- Average Goals: The matches between these two sides have seen an average of 2.83 goals per game.
Player Form and Availability
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Wolverhampton Wanderers:
- Key Players: Matheus Cunha and Hee-Chan Hwang will be crucial in leading Wolves’ attack, while Jose Sa will need to be at his best to keep Chelsea at bay.
- Injuries: Wolves have a relatively full-strength squad, with Sasa Kalajdzic the only notable absentee due to injury.
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Chelsea:
- Key Players: Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson will lead the charge for Chelsea, with Christopher Nkunku providing additional firepower.
- Injuries: Reece James and Djordje Petrovic are sidelined, but Chelsea have enough depth to cover these absences.
Predicted Lineups
Wolverhampton Wanderers (4-2-3-1):
- GK: Jose Sa
- DEF: Matt Doherty, Yerson Mosquera, Toti Gomes, Rayan Ait-Nouri
- MID: Joao Gomes, Mario Lemina
- ATT: Hee-Chan Hwang, Matheus Cunha, Rodrigo Gomes
- FWD: Joergen Strand Larsen
Chelsea (4-3-3):
- GK: Robert Sanchez
- DEF: Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill, Marc Cucurella
- MID: Enzo Fernandez, Romeo Lavia, Moises Caicedo
- ATT: Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku
Market Analysis (Odds)
Win-Draw-Win Market
- Chelsea: 1.83 (5/6) – Implies a 54.6% chance of winning. Chelsea are favorites due to their superior form and attacking options, despite their recent inconsistencies.
- Wolverhampton Wanderers: 3.80 (14/5) – Implies a 26.3% chance of winning. Wolves are underdogs, reflecting their poor form, but they have shown they can compete against top teams.
- Draw: 4.00 (3/1) – Implies a 25% chance. A draw could be a realistic outcome if both teams’ defenses manage to hold up against the opposition’s attack.
Both Teams to Score (BTTS) Market
- Yes: 1.57 (-175) – This is favored given both teams’ attacking capabilities and recent form. Wolves’ defense has been leaky, and Chelsea’s attack is potent.
- No: 2.20 (+120) – Less likely, but possible if Chelsea manages to control the game and keep a clean sheet.
Over/Under 2.5 Goals Market
- Over 2.5 Goals: 1.70 (-143) – This bet is favored, with both teams’ matches often producing high goal counts.
- Under 2.5 Goals: 2.10 (+110) – This is less likely but could be valuable if the match turns out to be more defensive than expected.
Correct Score Predictions
- Wolves 1-2 Chelsea: 9.00 (+800) – A realistic prediction that reflects Chelsea’s stronger form and Wolves’ defensive struggles.
- Wolves 2-2 Chelsea: 13.00 (+1200) – A riskier bet, but one that offers value if Wolves manage to exploit Chelsea’s defensive issues.
Predictions
Given Chelsea’s superior form and attacking options, they are expected to edge out Wolverhampton in this encounter. However, Wolves’ ability to score, especially at home, suggests that both teams will likely find the net.
Final Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers