Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Chelsea
…but for who?
Tenth placed Chelsea head to the West Midlands for a rip roaring Premier League clash on Christmas Eve, and they will have high hopes of returning to London with three points. But Gary O’Neil’s Wolves, in 13th and just three points behind the Blues will be hoping to give their fans plenty to cheer about.
Molineux will be packed to the rafters and there will be a sea of gold, with a splash of Chelsea Blue in one corner, for the first top flight Christmas Eve fixture in 28 years. It’s a key time for both teams. A good festive period could launch a successful second half of the campaign… but they can’t both win on Sunday.
The hosts are looking to bounce back from a 3-0 loss to West Ham United last week while the Blues are buoyant after reaching the Carabao Cup semi-finals thanks to a penalty shootout win over Newcastle United on Tuesday; and the SBOTOP odds for this one suggest it will be another good day for Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea.
Talking Points
O’Neil aiming to keep things tight
While former Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo prepares to take over at Nottingham Forest, following the departure of Steve Cooper, O’Neil has been dong a fine job ay Molineux with the current crop of All Golds. Wolves have played some attractive and free-flowing football, with attacking midfielder Pedro Neto, in particular, creating plenty of chances for the front men and the Portugal star could be set to return on Sunday after a lay-off with a hamstring injury.
O’Neil has said he wants the fans to enjoy the football he serves up, but he also asks his team to stay tight at the back to ensure they pick up the results they need to stay clear of trouble. It’s a hard balance to strike but Wolves had a difficult time at the London Stadium, as the Hammers raced into a two goal lead before the break, before coasting to victory as Lucas Paqueta made three assists, cutting through the Wolves defence all too easily. The home rearguard will need to provide more cover for sub goalie Dan Bentley, who is set to continue in place of the injured Jose Sa.
At the start of the campaign the Premier League 2023 betting odds hinted that Wolves would be embroiled in a relegation battle, but as we approach Christmas O’Neil’s men are a comfortable ten points above the drop zone and, if they can keep things tight at the back they will be just fine.
Nkunku can boost the Blues
Chelsea’s summer signing of Christopher Nkunku in a £52m move from Red Bull Leipzig made the big Premier League 2023 news in West London and, after an exciting pre-season, Blues fans looked forward to seeing their new man in league action; but then the 25 year old suffered a knee injury in the final warm-up, against Borussia Dortmund. The injury required surgery and Nkunku has been out ever since, returning to the match-day squad last week and then making an appearance off the bench against Newcastle. After Mykhailo Mudryk had scored an injury time leveller the game went to penalties and Chelsea won 4-2, Nkunku smashing his spot kick into the top left corner.
That level of confidence and love of hitting the net will do Chelsea the world of good, and, if Nkunku makes a start at Molineux, Blues fans will hope to see fireworks. One beneficiary could be all action striker Nicolas Jackson, who has seven goals and seven yellow cards so far this campaign and will profit from the space Nkunku makes as he tests opposition defences with his pace and movement.
Elsewhere in Chelsea’s line-up, World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez is a doubt in midfield after falling ill on Tuesday and Serbian stopper Djordje Petrovic is set to continue in place of the injured Robert Sanchez.
History
Chelsea have had the better of the head to head encounter with Wolves, winning 12, drawing four and losing four.
In terms of recent form there is nothing to choose as both teams have two wins, one draw and three defeats over the past six games, though Chelsea seem to be going in the right direction.
Betting Tip
With Chelsea priced at 1.96 and Wolves at 3.30 we’re expecting the Blues to push for another win and, if Nkunku starts they will have even more confidence. But O’Neil is a good manager and he’ll make Wolves hard to beat, so the hosts should go home for Christmas with something to show for their efforts.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT))
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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