Wolves Ready to Battle Chelsea: Key Matchups, Bold Predictions and Starting XI Revealed
Chelsea's quest for Champions League qualification continues with an away fixture against relegation-threatened Wolverhampton Wanderers this Saturday afternoon.
Following their comeback triumph over West Ham United last weekend, the Blues were eliminated from the Carabao Cup midweek after a 4–2 aggregate loss to Premier League table-toppers Arsenal.
Liam Rosenior's overly defensive tactics, which kept Chelsea competitive throughout the second leg, faced severe criticism from analysts, as Enzo Maresca's replacement experienced only his second loss since assuming control.
However, he maintains a flawless Premier League record, despite some unconvincing displays. Three straight victories have positioned Chelsea in fifth place, battling intensely with clubs like Manchester United and Liverpool for next season's Champions League qualification.
Their Saturday opponents, Wolves, appear destined for their next season's division, particularly after their improved form was halted by consecutive losses. Rob Edwards's squad sits at the bottom of the standings and seems unlikely to escape their current predicament in the remaining months.
Survival would require extraordinary circumstances, with 17th-placed Nottingham Forest holding an 18-point advantage.
Here's Sports Illustrated's match preview for Saturday's encounter.
What Time Does Wolves vs. Chelsea Kick-Off?
What Time Does Wolves vs. Chelsea Kick-Off?
Wolves vs. Chelsea Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)
Wolves vs. Chelsea Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)
Current Form (All Competitions)
Current Form (All Competitions)
Wolves (LLDWD) | Chelsea (LWWWW) |
|---|---|
Wolves 0–2 Bournemouth | Arsenal 1–0 Chelsea |
Man City 2–0 Wolves | Chelsea 3–2 West Ham |
Wolves 0–0 Newcastle | Napoli 2–3 Chelsea |
Wolves 6–1 Shrewsbury | Crystal Palace 1–3 Chelsea |
Everton 1–1 Wolves | Chelsea 1–0 Pafos |
How to Watch Wolves vs. Chelsea on TV, Live Stream
How to Watch Wolves vs. Chelsea on TV, Live Stream
Country | TV Channel/Live Stream |
|---|---|
United Kingdom | Not televised – radio coverage available via BBC Radio 5 Live |
United States | Peacock |
Canada | DAZN Canada, fuboTV Canada, Fubo Sports Network 5 Canada |
Mexico | Max Mexico |
Wolves Team News
Wolves Team News
Emmanuel Agbadou has left the club following a short stint at Molineux, moving to Beşiktaş after the January transfer window concluded for Europe's top leagues. This forces Edwards to adjust his defensive setup for Saturday's match, as Agbadou featured in the starting eleven against Bournemouth previously.
Veteran Matt Doherty could slot into Wolves' three-man defense, considering Toti Gomes isn't anticipated to recover from his hamstring problem until later this month. Edwards will be hoping for Ladislav Krejčí's return, however.
Recent acquisition Adam Armstrong probably won't feature on Saturday due to an injury concern, meaning Hwang Hee-chan should partner Tolu Arokodare in attack against the Blues. Jørgen Strand Larsen finalized his transfer to Crystal Palace on Deadline Day.
Wolves Predicted Lineup vs. Chelsea
Wolves Predicted Lineup vs. Chelsea
Wolves predicted lineup vs. Chelsea (3-5-2): Sá; Mosquera, S. Bueno, Krejćí; R. Gomes, Mané, André, J. Gomes, H. Bueno; Hwang, Arokadare.
Chelsea Team News
Chelsea Team News
A challenging inaugural campaign for Jamie Gittens in west London might have ended early after reports emerged of a hamstring injury sustained during last week's victory against West Ham. His return date remains uncertain.
Rosenior has confirmed that Cole Palmer and Estêvão are both prepared for full match involvement, though he remains uncertain about Reece James and Pedro Neto's availability, both having missed the Emirates second leg.
Dário Essugo, Roméo Lavia, Tosin Adarabioyo, Filip Jörgensen and Levi Colwill are also sidelined with injuries for the visiting team.
Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs. Wolves
Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs. Wolves
Chelsea predicted lineup vs. Wolves (4-2-3-1): Sánchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Badiashile, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernández; Estêvão, Palmer, Garnacho; Pedro.
Wolves vs. Chelsea Score Prediction
Wolves vs. Chelsea Score Prediction
This Chelsea squad should feel liberated following Tuesday's setback, though it's worth noting the Blues haven't delivered a complete 90-minute performance against Premier League opposition since Rosenior's appointment.
The new manager's side have shown flashes of brilliance, and they likely won't need sustained excellence throughout the match to secure victory on Saturday.
While Wolves weren't exactly gaining momentum under Edwards, he did halt their decline at the beginning of 2026. Nevertheless, back-to-back losses have brought them crashing back down to earth, and they're expected to offer minimal resistance on Saturday.