When: Wolves VS Chelsea 19:30 IST 14th September
Where: Molineux Stadium
Match: Referee: Graham Scott
We are off to the Molineux again, the stadium that was the bermuda triangle for most of the top 6 teams last season and this time its the blue side of London that travel to the wolves den. If Frank’s side are looking for stamp their authority and say to the world that they will be involved in the top four race this will be one of the pivotal games that they will have to win
Team Preview: Wolverhampton Wanderers (Wolves)
Table Position: 17
Recent Form: L D D D
The Wolves are here to stay
The team from Molineux may have had a bad start to the season, but anyone who follows the premier league will know that they are a really tough team to break down and the opposition need to work their socks off to even get a point against them at their home. Like their name and logo animal the wolves team attack and defend in packs
Nuno Sanchez the Portuguese has revolutionized the way they play. The usually play in the classic 3-4-3 with wing-backs pushing up the pitch to provide the width. This role was well performed by Doherty and the Spanish full back Jonny. Doherty even managed to score 4 and assist 5 from the left wing back postion last season.
The midfield is the perfect combination of creativity and cover with the Ruben Neves excelling at both stopping attacks and spraying long balls for the likes of Jimenez and Jota to capitalize
Up front they have the dynamic duo of Diego Jota and Raul Jimenez. Raul Jimenez is a complete forward and caught the eye of many teams last season. The pair operate telepathically it is understatement if you say Raul will always find Jota if he making a run down the line towards goal. The pair managed an impressive 21 goals between them last season. They are the main attacking threat for wolves. The pair destroyed the defense Man United last season with the one touch passing and off ball movement.
Team News: There is a high possibility that they will field the same squad there no injuries over the international break
Team Preview Chelsea:
Position 11
Form: L D W D
Super Frank’s young Chelsea side:
After they got destroyed at Old Trafford during Frank’s first game in charge, Chelsea’s season seemed to pick up pace before they where held at home by Sheffield. But, now the young Chelsea side will face another tough battle at the wolves den. The south London unit where forced to use all the young talent at their disposal due to the transfer ban that was imposed on them last season, adding to that the loss of Eden Hazard has left them in a state of bother.
From what we have seen, it can be said that this team under Frank play on the front foot and tend to press high up the pitch with, the young trio of Mount, Abraham and Pulisic leading the charge. Mason Mount has been given the opportunity to play as a number 10 after the success he enjoyed at derby county. Mason is already repaying Frank as he has already scored 2 goals in the four games of the 19/20 season. Tammy Abraham has also caught the eye of many people with his impressive display the young Englishmen has taken his game to the next level, after he missed the penalty during the Super Cup. Tammy has managed 4 goals in 4 games and hit post against United on the opening day, if he continues at this rate their is good chance that will be the number 9 for Chelsea for the next 10 years.
Defense is the department where Chelsea have struggled hugely the defense had already let in 9 and the goal difference is a negative 3. This is due to the poor performance from the likes of Kurt Zouma and Chris22tensen, the sale of David Luiz has left the manager with less options until the return of Rudiger.
Team News: Kante ruled out, Rudiger fit to play, Kovacic Out, Pedro Doubt, Emerson Doubt
Key Battles
Emerson vs Doherty
Emerson has been one of the positives for the Chelsea during this season. The young Italian Left back has taken over the position from the Spanish Alonso and has perfomed every well. But, against wolves he will be up against the likes of Doherty, who is one of the best wing backs in the league, from the what we know if he is given time and space to run he can deliver a good cross in for the likes of Raul who is very good in the air.
Doherty also has his work cut out, as Emerson is also very good when it comes to attacking the space high up the pitch and creating chances for his team. This battle will determine which team is more successful on the flanks during the game.
Disclaimer: Marcos Alonso might fill in for Emerson this weekend, since the Italian is doubtful to feature after the injury he suffered over the international break
Mount vs Ruben Neves
Ruben Neves the 23 year old, Portugese is a magician and pick a pass from 50 yards out and is the player that knits the play for wolves in the middle of the park. Mason mount as he done in the previous games will be tasked to disrupt this and stop him from getting into rhythm and start controlling the game.
We all know that Mason mount is very good at closing people down and has a sixth sense when it comes to capitalizing on bad touches by opposition. He will have to put a shift in and never let Neves get comfortable on the ball, because when the Portugese gets comfortable and starts to spread the ball around with ease it will become very tough for
Chelsea to get a grip of the game. Since, Wolves are very good at holding possession. Not only this Mason will also have the task of releasing the likes of Pedro, Tammy and Pulisic if he wins the ball high up the pitch, the back three of wolves might be compact but they lack pace, if the ball is released with space to attack they can be shred to pieces.
Head2Head
Games played 107
Chelsea 41
Draw 27
Wolves 39
Chelsea 1 – 1 Wolves 10 March 2019
Wolves 2 – 1 Chelsea 05 December 2019
Wolves 0 – 2 Chelsea 18 February 2017 (FA Cup)
Chelsea 6 – 0 Wolves 25 September 2012 (English League Cup)
Chelsea 3 – 0 Wolves 26 November 2011
Wolves Predicted XI
Formation: 3-4-3
Rui Patricio, Jonny, Doherty, Bennett, Coady, Boly, Neves, Moutinho, Dendoncker, Jota, Jimenez
Chelsea Predicted XI
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Kepa, Azpilicueta, Zouma, Christensen, Emerson/Alonso, Jorginho, Barkley, Mount, Pulisic, Abraham, Pedro
AllaboutFPL Verdict:
Wolves have recently earned the tittle of Robin hood of the Premier League. They always perform well against top six sides and last season the managed to get 4 points against Chelsea, they will be looking to build on that record and down the years this fixture has had some mind blowing games. But, according us the game highly depends on how Chelsea approach the game. The Wolves side will be content with one point, the emphasis will lie on Chelsea to break them down and make that one into three if they are looking to cement a position in the top four this season.
Predicted Score: Wolves will sit deep and invite Chelsea to press, without Kante the south London side will find it difficult to control the midfield considering this predict a 2-1 win for the home side.
Wolves 2 – Chelsea 1
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