England Premier League
Saturday 7th May 2022
Kick off at 3pm BST
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Match Preview:
Some would say that Chelsea’s season in the league is over and they will be thinking of their FA Cup final against Liverpool but that isn’t true. The Blues should finish in the top 4 but with Arsenal and Tottenham on the chase, for now there is no guarantee of that outcome and Thomas Tuchel’s side will need to win a few more games to claim their participation in next season’s Champions League.
Chelsea have been 3rd in the league for such a long time that even finishing 4th would feel like a step back and clearly the Blues will not want to relinquish that position. However they come into this game just three points ahead of Arsenal and five ahead of Tottenham with four games left to play. Chelsea are one of the strongest sides in Europe but their form isn’t reflecting the club well with just one win in their past four games. Last weekend they lost 1-0 at Everton which followed a 1-1 draw at Manchester United and so Tuchel’s side will be happy to return home. Here though the Blues have won just 50% of their games and this is where they have dropped precious points. While their last game ended in a 1-0 victory over West Ham Tuchel’s side have lost 2 of their last 3 games here.
Wolves are in 8th place and still have a chance to grab the final European position of the season and qualify for the Europa Conference League. However the club had the chance to reduce the 3 point gap to West Ham last weekend but lost 3-0 at home to Brighton and that is Wolves 3rd loss in a row.
Recent form has been very poor for Bruno Lage’s side and they have won just 3 points from a possible 15 on offer. Away form has been poor too recently with four defeats from their last five and they have recently been beaten by Burnley and Newcastle.
Team News:
Chelsea: Ross Barkley will be assessed after illness but could be included it is the same situation for Andreas Christensen. N’Golo Kante is being tipped to return after his knock, Jorginho will be assessed after picking up a knock in the last game. Callum Hudson-Odoi is out long term with an Achilles injury.
Wolves: Daniel Podence is a real doubt with his foot injury, Max Kilman has an ankle injury and remains a doubt also. Nelson Semedo could be assessed and return for this game after his hamstring injury.
Chelsea vs Wolves Head to Head:
The last two meetings between the sides has finished 0-0.
Chelsea haven’t beaten Wolves in almost two years.
Wolves haven’t beaten Chelsea away from home in 43 years.
Chelsea vs Wolves Prediction:
At 1.30 to win the game there won’t be many backers for Chelsea unless their pick is part of an accumulator. We do think though that a home win is a banker in the Premier League this weekend and for better value pick out Chelsea to win on the handicap. The Blues have had some disappointments lately, the biggest of those being knocked out of the Champions League but that is history now and their objective will be to fend off Arsenal and finish in 3rd and look forward to the FA Cup final.
Wolves are playing for a European place but they have looked very poor lately and with some returning key players for Chelsea and being back at home we expect the team to perform in what has been a disjointed season for them on and off the pitch. One has to wonder if for the final few weeks Tuchel will change up his tactics, this would allow Romelu Lukaku to adapt more to his role with Chelsea and after the forward has had a small break being back at home he could be a wise choice to score a goal against Wolves. For the away side their remaining home games could well define their season and if they can snatch 7th place away from West Ham, but this will be a very tough game for a side already low on confidence.
Chelsea vs Wolves Betting Tips:
Handicap: Chelsea to beat Wolves with a -1 goal start at 2.00
Anytime goalscorer: Romelu Lukaku at 2.25
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