The hectic festive football schedule in England has thrown up a real Christmas cracker here, as Wolves and Chelsea are set to battle it out in what is only the second Premier League (PL) fixture ever to be held on December 24th, and the first since 1995!
Wolves vs Chelsea Analysis
With just three points separating Wolves from Chelsea, fans will hope their side can deliver them a win that would put them within touching distance of the top half on Christmas Day.
It’s difficult to make a case for such an outcome as Wolves head here on the back of a poor run of form over the previous five rounds (W1, D1, L3).
A Molineux return could remedy that though, as Wolves are unbeaten across their last six home league games (W3, D3) and are currently enjoying their longest run of scoring in top-flight home games (15) since a 16-game streak between 1969-1970.
Although Chelsea are enduring their second-worst 17-game PL start in over a decade, they secured a spot in the League Cup semi-final in midweek thanks to a penalty shootout victory over Newcastle.
Many will feel they already have one foot in the final with Championship side Middlesbrough waiting in the last four, yet three defeats across their last five PL games typifies the hot and cold nature of Chelsea’s form this season.
That form has been suitably cold at Molineux too, with Chelsea enduring a three-game winless run of PL away H2Hs since 2019 (D1, L2). That’s not necessarily about to end either as Chelsea travel here on the back of three straight PL away defeats, whilst they’ve failed to even get on the scoresheet in two of their four league trips to face sides beginning the round below them (W2, D1, L1).
Wolves vs Chelsea Players to watch
Matheus Cunha has been in the thick of the action for Wolves lately, scoring three and assisting twice across his last six appearances, yet just one of his seven scoring appearances for the club ended in victory (W1, D1, L5). After making his long-awaited debut for Chelsea in midweek, Christopher Nkunku will hope to extend his run of ten straight victories in scoring club appearances with a strike on his PL debut.
Hot stat
Only PL games involving Brighton (16/17) had seen both teams score more often than Wolves (13/17–76%) ahead of this round.
Prediction and betting tips
Correct Score: Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-2 Chelsea
Tip 1: Result – 2 (Away straight win)
Tip 2: Game to have over 2.5 goals – Yes
Tip 3: Wolverhampton Wanderers to score first – Yes
Tip 4: Cole Palmer to score – Yes
