Chelsea and Wolves are set to meet in mid-January 2025 for the second installment of the 2024-25 Premier League season. The first leg of this fixture ended in a convincing 6-2 win for the Blues and this is another game they will be keen to win to keep up with the rest of the teams in the European places.Â
As of the time of writing, Chelsea are ranked 5th on the log with 22 points from 12 games, while Wolves are 18th with 9 points from 13 games.Â
Chelsea have started life under Enzo Maresca with ease. The former Leicester City boss has worked on his team to be competitive and they have posed a strong competition to some of the established teams in the division. With Maresca at the helm, the Blues have improved greatly and many have tipped them to mount a title challenge.Â
Chelsea lost 2-0 to Manchester City at Stamford Bridge in their season opener before going ahead to beat Servette on aggregate to reach the UEFA Conference League group stages. Noni Madueke then notched a hat-trick against Wolves to help the Blues claim their first Premier League win of the season.Â
The Stamford Bridge outfit continued to build from there and they went seven games without a defeat across all competitions. Maresca’s men won five of those games and drew the other two. A second Premier League loss of the season came when they travelled to Anfield to face Liverpool. As of the time of writing, they have not lost in the league again, but they have been knocked out of the Carabao Cup, while they have maintained their 100% winning streak in the Conference League.
Ahead of Chelsea’s game against Aston Villa in early December, Maresca ruled Chelsea out as one of the title challengers despite his side being just a point behind defending champions Manchester City on the log.
“I said many times – I didn’t like the pressure. I didn’t like to say yes we are there, but we are not there,” Maresca stated.
“Arsenal are ahead of us, [Manchester] City is ahead of us, Liverpool showing they are ahead of us. The important thing is we improve game after game and then we will see. For me, it is not about points or the table, it is about the process and the programme. Five years together [Arsenal], nine together [Man City]… Liverpool is different but they didn’t make too many changes from before. [It’s] not about the points difference on the table, it is about the time together.”
“At the same time, you have to be realistic. You can see the difference between us and the rest in this moment. It doesn’t mean we are not going to compete and win games. We will do that to the end. The main focus has to be the feeling we are improving game after game,” the former Leicester City boss concluded.Â
On the other hand, Wolves have been underwhelming in the Premier League this season. After a summer transfer window where they barely spent, the side has struggled to make an impact or build on what they did last season. Not many tipped them to be in the relegation fight at the moment, but that is where they have found themselves. After a very slow start to the season, Gary O’Neil’s side managed a run of wins to get themselves back into contention for survival. At the time of writing, Wolves have won two games, drawn three and lost the remaining eight games just before December.
Wolves might be in the relegation waters, but the form of forward Matheus Cunha (7G 3A) can help them overcome their current challenges. Wolves won at this ground last season. Therefore, they will be confident they can enjoy another success there. Meanwhile, Chelsea have won 11 times in their past 21 meetings with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Match tickets
This match at Stamford Bridge in London kicks off on Monday 20th January 2025, at 20:00 GMT.Â
The 40,341-capacity stadium is the place for this clash between the Blues and Wolves.
Getting Chelsea v Wolves tickets could take a lot of work given the standard of this game. Hence, you are advised to search ticket reselling sites should they be expectedly sold out on each club’s channels.Â
Team news
Line-ups
Robert Sanchez has been the number one in goal in Premier League games under Maresca and he is expected to be available for this one. With a back four of Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill and Cucurella likely. In-form Caicedo will be relied upon in this Premier League fixture. The usual combo in attack – Palmer – Jackson – will be needed if they intend to claim a win at the end of 90 minutes. Skipper Reece James remains a regular in the physio’s room.Â
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Lavia, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson
Wolves do have some injury concerns in their team. Enso Medina and Yerson Mosquera are not expected to return to action until mid 2025. Meanwhile, Boubacar Traore and Hwang Hee-Chan should recover in time to feature for Wolves in this fixture. Goalkeeper Sa has been excellent this season alongside Lemina, and Cunha.
Wolves XI: Sa; Semedo, Dawson, Bueno, Toti, Ait-Nouri; Sarabia, Gomes, Lemina; Cunha, Strand Larsen.
Prediction
Chelsea are a different team in the Premier League this season. Under Enzo Maresca, they have found some purpose and direction. The Blues are one of the front runners for one of the UEFA Champions League spots, while they could also be considered as one of the outsiders to win the Premier League. For the fans, getting your Chelsea tickets early is important.
Meanwhile, Wolves are up against it now and they will have to fight until the end of the season. On the road, they have only won once and lost three of their six away games so far. With Cunha’s form, Wolves can stay competitive but Chelsea should be able to claim another win at Stamford Bridge.
 Chelsea 2-1 Wolves
