Match preview

Chelsea were held to a disappointing 2-2 draw by an injury-plagued Bournemouth last time out in the league on Tuesday, and were fortunate to take a point considering they only levelled the scoreline in the 95th minute thanks to Cole Palmer.

Some commentators thought that the Blues would be able to mount an unlikely title charge, but while Maresca has undoubtedly made progress with his young and talented squad, his side are 13 points behind leaders Liverpool.

The hosts are winless in their five most recent league outings, drawing three times and losing twice in that period.

Chelsea have worryingly found goals more difficult to come by in recent weeks given they have found the back of the net four times in their last five top-flight matches, though their record of 41 goals scored is still the fourth best return in the division.

Maresca's side have kept just four clean sheets in their 21 Premier League matches this season, and have conceded seven times in their four most recent games in the top flight.

Chelsea boast an exceptional record at home in 2024-25, winning 10, drawing four and losing just one of their past 15 at Stamford Bridge, though they have drawn one and lost one of their last three at home.

The Blues trounced Monday's opponents 6-2 at Molineux in the reverse fixture on August 25, with Noni Madueke netting a hat-trick.

Wolves will feel they should have at least got on the scoresheet when they lost against Newcastle considering they created five big chances.

Manager Vitor Pereira won his first two league games in charge of the club – 3-0 and 2-0 victories against Leicester City and Manchester United – but he has lost two and drawn one of his subsequent three matches as boss.

If Wolves are relegated from the top flight at the end of the season, it will certainly not be because of a lack of threat in the final third considering they have scored 31 goals in the Premier League, the most of any club in the bottom nine barring Tottenham Hotspur.

However, Pereira's side have also conceded on 48 occasions, and that makes them the division's joint worst defensive team.

The visitors' form on the road in recent weeks is mixed given they have triumphed in two, drawn one and been defeated in three of their past six fixtures away from home.

Chelsea possible starting lineup:

Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson

Wolverhampton Wanderers possible starting lineup:

Sa; Doherty, Bueno, Agbadou; R Gomes, Andre, J Gomes, Ait-Nouri; Hwang, Cunha; Larsen