Team
news, key stats and predictions ahead of Wolves vs Chelsea in the Premier
League
Team news
Wolves will be without suspended defender Willy Boly when they mark 130
years of playing at Molineux against Chelsea. Boly was sent off in the
defeat at Everton before the international break and he must serve a
one-match ban. However, Romain Saiss and Matt Doherty will both be
available.
Saiss is fit despite returning early from international duty with Morocco
and is in contention to replace Boly along with Jesus Vallejo. Doherty could
be involved even though he has been nursing a knee problem and underwent a
small operation recently.
Chelsea head coach Frank Lampard will welcome back Antonio Rudiger. The
Germany international has been out since April with a knee injury. Pedro has
recovered from a hamstring issue and will be available, while Mateo Kovacic
is also fit for Lampard's side. N'Golo Kante (ankle) remains sidelined.
Opta stats
A look at some of the key stats surrounding this weekend's Premier League
action, which includes Liverpool's game against Newcastle and Chelsea's trip
to Wolves
Wolves remained unbeaten in their two Premier League meetings with Chelsea
last season (W1 D1), having lost seven of their first eight games against
them in the competition (W1).
None of the last 13 top-flight meetings between Wolves and Chelsea at
Molineux have ended level, with Chelsea winning six of those (L7). Indeed,
the Blues have won five of the last seven, though Wolves have won two of the
last three.
Wolves have won more games than any other Premier League team in all
competitions in 2019-20 (six) despite failing to win any of their first four
league games of the season (W0 D3 L1), winning all six of their Europa
League qualifying matches.
Wolves are the only Premier League team yet to lead for a single minute in a
game so far this season, while only Norwich (187) have trailed for more
minutes (182).
Chelsea midfielder Jorginho has started more open-play sequences ending in a
shot (11) than any other player in the Premier League this season.
All three of Chelsea's away Premier League wins in 2019 have been against
newly-promoted teams - in eight matches against teams who aren't
newly-promoted, they've won none, drawn two and lost six of eight games,
scoring only once and conceding 21 times.
Charlie Nicholas' prediction
There are loads of people this weekend that will be editing their
predictions. They will be checking teams and seeing who is fit and who could
be the potential match-winner. It will be like that because of the
guaranteed jackpot. Jeff must pay out again!
Wolves do well against the big teams. Tammy Abraham has been in form and
Mason Mount has been spectacularly good. Chelsea are still vulnerable at the
back and will be threatened by Diogo Jota and Raul Jimenez up front. I see
Wolves beating Chelsea this weekend, and Wolves are the team, as many people
that are talking about Leicester, that could definitely override the top-six
trend.
CHARLIE PREDICTS: 2-1 (12/1 with Sky Bet)
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