Chelsea vs Wolves Betting Preview

Matthew O’Regan has readied a Chelsea vs Wolves betting preview ahead of the televised Monday Night Football clash in the Premier League. Both sides had disappointing results midweek, with Chelsea drawing 2-2 at home to Bournemouth, while Wolves were defeated 3-0 at St James Park against Newcastle. The meeting earlier in the season was an enthralling encounter, with Chelsea running out 6-2 winners at the Molineux. A similarly entertaining clash  is expected on Monday. 

Chelsea vs Wolves Prediction: Defensive fragilities

England, Premier League, Monday, January, 20th, 20:00 (UK)

Chelsea’s slump continued on Tuesday Night as they limped to a 2-2 draw at home to Bournemouth thanks to a last minute Reece James freekick. Enzo Maresca’s side have now failed to win in five Premier League, drawing at Everton and Crystal Palace and at home to Bournemouth, as well as losing at home to Fulham and away to Ipswich. 

The Blues have a potent atack, with Maresca blessed with two or more options in every position. One player who has struggled in recent weeks is Nicolas Jackson but the 23-year-old registered an impressive assist for Cole Palmer’s opener. Palmer now has 20 goal contributions in 21 league starts as he chases the golden boot. 

Only Liverpool and Tottenham have scored more than Chelsea’s 41 goals, but Maresca will be worried with his side’s defensive fragility, conceding 26 goals. Of their ten home games, eight have seen BTTS, the exceptions the opening day 0-2 loss against Manchester City and the 3-0 victory over Aston Villa – a game in which the visitors were unlucky not to score in. Chelsea have kept just one clean sheet in their last eight games as their defensive issues and injuries mount up. 

The West London side will see the visit of lowly Wolves as the perfect opportunity to bounce back after a poor run of form. The visitors are inside the relegation zone on goal difference and face a difficult run of games in their bid for safety. After Gary O’Neil was dismissed as manager, Vitor Pereira was hired as his replacement. The Portuguese gaffer seems to have instilled more discipline into his side, but they are still struggling on the pitch, losing their last two games 3-0. The return of Mathues Cunha from his ban should inspire them going forward. 

Of their 11 away games, seven have seen BTTS. The exceptions are the 3-0 loss at Newcastle (1.45 xG and a disallowed goal) 0-3 win at Leicester, 4-0 loss at Leicester and the opening day 2-0 loss at Arsenal. While Chelsea should steamroll Wolves, the visitors will fancy their chances of a consolation goal against an out-of-sorts defence. 

• Chelsea vs Wolves Prediction: Chelsea win and BTTS (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 2.40
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 7/10 (TRACKED BET)

Chelsea vs Wolves betting preview odds via bet365 as at 00:00, January 16th, 2025. Odds may now differ.

Chelsea vs Wolves Injuries, Team News and Possible Lineups Prediction: Return for Chalobah

Defensively, Benoit Badiashile and Wesley Fofana remain injured, with Josh Acheampong being asked to start in recent weeks. Despite his awful treatment in the summer, Trevoh Chalobah was recalled from Crystal Palace and could start. Other than the defensive duo injury, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is the only other injury. 

Wolves will be buoyed by the return of Matheus Cuhna, with the Brazilian contributing 14 goals in 18 starts. On the injury front, Boubacar Traore, Enzo Gonzales, Sasa Kalajdzic, Toti Gomes and Yerson Mosquera are missing. 

Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Enzo; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson

Wolves possible starting lineup:
Sa; Doherty, Agbadou, Bueno; Semedo, Andre, Gomes, Ait-Nouri; Cunha, Larsen; Guedes

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