Going a full week without playing a match was probably the best thing that could’ve happened to Chelsea. The team had been fighting for meaningful Premier League points or a place in the next round of an important cup competition since the international break at the end of March and sorely needed a rest. The imminent sale of the club to Todd Boehly and his consortium is also wonderful news, as it will finally provide clarity for Thomas Tuchel and the board of directors ahead of an extremely important summer transfer window. These past six days really have been rejuvenating following an extremely difficult period for the Blues.
Hopefully, the squad used its sabbatical to mentally and physically prepare for Saturday’s opponent, Wolves. The perennial dark horse has suffered this season after long-time caretaker Nuno Espirito Santo departed for Tottenham last summer in what proved to be a problematic appointment for both manager and club. Still, Chelsea is winless in its last three contests against the team from the West Midlands, with the previous two matches finishing in dreadfully dull 0-0 draws. Additionally, last weekend’s performance against Everton should have taught the European champions that no club in the English top flight can be taken lightly. I’m really struggling to find picks with value here.
Here is your Chelsea gambling guide for Premier League game against Wolves
Anyone who has actually been following me over the past few matches will know I’m cold. Like, ice cold. This will happen to every gambler at some point during his or her career, but it particularly sucks when it coincides with your favorite team playing its worst football of the season. The best advice I can give in a tough time like this, though, is to stay positive. I’ll turn it around just as the Blues will turn it around, and it will all begin early on Saturday. The atmosphere at Stamford Bridge has had a tangible effect on the home team’s effort, with the club world champs scoring first in four of their previous six matches in west London. I think I have to back this trend to continue, so I’ll be watching the Chelsea first goal prop at -295 odds.
My second play is also an extremely safe one, according to the bookmakers, although it completely contradicts recent results. There has been a first-half goal in only one of the Blues’ previous five matches, which was unsurprisingly the frenetic affair with Arsenal that saw the ball find the back of the net four times during the opening 45’. Chelsea is certainly due for some early scoring, but I’ll go broader and take the over on 0.5 total goals in the first half at -260. For those feeling confident, the European champions’ first-half goal total’s odds offer much better value at -160. I don’t hate that bet at all.
Official odds (via WynnBet as of May 6)
Chelsea ML: -280
Wolves ML: +900
Draw: +390
Over/Under: 2.5 (-115/-105)
My picks
Adaptation is certainly part of the gambling game, so I’m adjusting my strategy greatly for the match against Wolves. I’m avoiding the plus juice at all costs and taking extreme betting favorites with all three picks. The aforementioned Chelsea to score the first goal prop (-295) and over 0.5 total first-half goals (-260) are both safe plays that I think should hit simultaneously inside the first half-hour or so. For my final pick, I’m strictly following the odds and actively going against my better judgement by taking Chelsea on the moneyline at -280. I find it pretty incredible that anyone is favoring the Blues in any matchup, especially so heavily, but our friends at WynnBet seem pretty confident. Hopefully, they know more than I do.