Wolves Vs Chelsea
Wolves Vs Chelsea Sunday, 19 December 2021 – 14:00 (GMT)
English Premier League
Pick: Chelsea
Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker: BetFred
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 17 December 2021)
Preview: Having fallen four points behind the Premier League leaders, only a win will suffice from Sunday’s visit to Molineux – where they were beaten 2-1 upon visiting Wolves last season – for Thomas Tuchel’s stuttering Chelsea.
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Table of Contents
Wolves – Goals scarce in West Midlands?
A second goal of the season for Romain Saiss, which was extremely well taken from a delightful ball over the top from Ruben Neves, helped Wolves register their first league win since the mid November (D2 L2) as they edged an attritional contest at Brighton’s Amex Stadium on Tuesday. It was just the lift in spirits this team needed ahead of their third fixture in four against one of the league’s title contenders.
In recent weeks Wolves would test themselves against Liverpool and Man City, to which they were cruelly denied a point each time after losing both 1-0. Worryingly, Bruno Lage’s men did concede a lot of chances (2.65 & 3.11 respectively) but have now restricted all but three of the seventeen teams faced so far this season to no more than one goal. This has had a profound impact on their own ability to score, however.
With 13 goals in 17 Premier League games in 2021-22, Wanderers are above only bottom side Norwich when it comes to finding the back of the opposing team’s net. Here at Molineux meanwhile, where they have lost more games than they’ve won (W3 D1 L4), Wolves have already failed to score on five occasions – more than any other side in the division – though did win all three encounters in which they did score.
Chelsea – Blues struggling to keep pace with leaders?
In a title race which looks as though it could be settled by the finest of margins, are Chelsea exhibiting the signs of a side whose race is already run? It has undoubtedly been a costly period for the reigning European champs. Thursday night’s 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge against a depleted Everton was the fourth instance of them dropping points in their past seven Premier League games (W4 D3 L1).
Thomas Tuchel lamented the decision for the game in midweek not to be called off, despite up to four of his squad being ruled out due to illness. It remains to be seen how many he will have available for Sunday’s visit to Molineux, a ground which play a role in his predecessors demise last season as Chelsea were beaten at the death. Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner are both huge doubts though.
One has to wonder whether Chelsea would have dropped any points during the week had there been a recognised forward on the pitch, having created a host of chances (3.54 xG). Further frustration could be in store, too, as Sunday’s opponents are forging a reputation for making life incredibly difficult for the league’s best attacks. However, the Blues have travelled strongly this season (W5 D1 L1).
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Wolves Vs Chelsea Betting Advice
Recent results would have us believe Chelsea are in something of a mini crisis, after failing to win four of the last seven Premier League fixtures (W3 D3 L1). However, performance levels have remained consistently high, winning the xG battle – and convincingly so in most cases – in all but the 3-2 loss away to West Ham during this period. Creating 3.54 xGF in Thursday’s disappointing draw with Everton.
Wolves Vs Chelsea – Key Facts:
- There have been a total of 12 goals scored in Wolves’ eight Premier League home games this season (5GF, 8GA, with that figure the lowest in the top-flight.
- During the midweek round, Wolves claimed a first win in five (D2 L2) as Chelsea were held at home to a 1-1 draw by a depleted Everton. The Blues dropping points for the four time in their last seven matches.
- As a result, it is now five Premier League games without a clean sheet for Chelsea. This their longest such run under Thomas Tuchel.
Chelsea’s issue of late has been scoring, something not helped by the lack of a recognised striker (Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner are doubtful). A visit to Wolves then, who are a team boasting the fourth strongest defence in the league this season, is far from ideal. Yet Wolves are also toiling, managing one goal in their past five matches, so it may only take Chelsea to convert one of their many chances to sneak this.
Best Betting Odds – Wolves Vs Chelsea
Wolves – 11/2 (WilliamHill)
Draw – 27/10 (BetVictor)
Chelsea – 3/5 (BetFred)
