Kick-off: 1600, 26/07/2020
Stadium: Stamford Bridge
TV: Sky Sports Premier League
Chelsea’s clash with Wolves will have a huge bearing on Champions League and Europa League qualification, but we’re not expecting a cagey contest.
The Blues only know one way to play, pushing forward at every opportunity, and can draw the more methodical Wanderers out of their shell.
Seven goals were scored when these teams met at Molineux in September and 2/1 for over 3.5 to be netted here is our first Chelsea vs Wolves prediction.
A Look At Chelsea’s Betting Odds
Chelsea only need a point to clinch a place in the top four of the Premier League, but defensive frailties will stop them from playing for a draw.
The Blues have conceded more times than any other team in the top half this term and are coming off a 5-3 defeat at Liverpool on Wednesday.
Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga again came under scrutiny at Anfield and Frank Lampard is aware of his side’s failings.
“There were some collective and individual errors for the goals,” he said. “We know if we make mistakes like that against a team of the quality of Liverpool then this is what can happen.”
However, Chelsea can be a joy to watch going the other way, with Olivier Giroud, Tammy Abraham and Christian Pulisic on target against the new champions.
That game came three days after an impressive 3-1 FA Cup semi-final success versus Manchester United, while Manchester City were beaten 2-1 at the Bridge last month.
On trying to qualify for the Champions League, Lampard stated: “What is absolutely important is the players focus on themselves, because it is in our own hands.
“That is the job I’ll do because we can’t affect what is going on elsewhere. We have to try to get over the line.
“We have character in the group, we have quality and we have a good opponent coming, so it is on us now.”
The Blues have a happy habit of making strong starts on home turf, while Wanderers can take a while to get going, scoring only once before the break in 17 matches against top-half sides this season.
Looking at the Chelsea vs Wolves odds, there is obvious appeal in 11/10 for Lampard’s men to break the deadlock before the interval, plus 27/20 for the hosts to lead at half-time.
Last Chelsea line-up: Kepa, Rudiger, Alonso, Zouma, James, Azpilicueta, Jorginho, Kovacic, Mount, Willian, Giroud.
A Look At Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Betting Odds
Wolves are trying to fend off a challenge from Tottenham for top-six honours and made it seven points from three games with Monday’s 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace.
Daniel Podence and Jonny scored in a smooth success as Wanderers surpassed last season’s points total by two.
Nuno Espirito Santo said: “Progress season-on-season is the idea. We are improving, building and looking for the next challenge. We embrace that. It pleases me a lot.”
Wolves’ season will stretch to 366 days on Sunday, due to being involved in Europa League qualifiers last summer, and they will still be involved in that competition next month.
However, 33-year-old playmaker Joao Moutinho epitomises the strong work ethic within this squad.
He commented: “This is what we work for every day, to come to the games and do our job to try and win the games.
“We want to continue to have these results. We think game by game and now we are already thinking about the next game against Chelsea.”
One stat which stands out is that Wanderers have scored 13 times between 60:01 and 75 minutes without conceding once, whereas the Blues are 2-4 at home during that period.
Let’s finish off our Chelsea vs Wolves betting tips by taking 21/4 for the visitors to outscore their hosts in that time frame.
Last Wolves line-up: Rui Patricio, Doherty, Boly, Coady, Jonny, Neves, Podence, Moutinho, Dendoncker, Jimenez, Traore.
Additional stats
Last result:
Liverpool 5-3 CHELSEA – Olivier Giroud, Tammy Abraham, Christian Pulisic
WOLVES 2-0 Crystal Palace – Daniel Podence, Jonny
Head-to-head: Wolves 2-5 Chelsea, Chelsea 1-1 Wolves, Wolves 2-1 Chelsea
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