What's at stake: Chelsea vs Wolves - Key insights

Chelsea will host Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge in a match that holds immense significance for both teams. The Blues, without a win in their last three Premier League outings, are desperate to rediscover their form, while Wolves, battling relegation, will aim to secure a vital result.

Control Over Their Destiny

Chelsea have the chance to take control of their push for a top-four finish, especially with results elsewhere playing into their hands. Bournemouth’s stunning 4-1 win at St. James’ Park has left Newcastle just one point ahead of the Blues. Similarly, Aston Villa’s 2-2 draw at the Emirates means they sit two points behind Chelsea, narrowly avoiding a scenario where a Villa win would have knocked the West London side out of the top five.

Manchester City, who play earlier in the weekend, could temporarily overtake Chelsea with a win against Ipswich. However, a victory for the Blues over Wolves would ensure they remain in fourth place heading into matchweek 23. Anything less than three points would complicate Chelsea’s season, increasing the pressure on Enzo Maresca’s squad as they fight for Champions League qualification.

Momentum Ahead of the Etihad Clash

Following the Wolves game, Chelsea travel to the Etihad Stadium to face defending champions Manchester City. With the Blues winless in the league since December 15, a positive result against Wolves is essential to build confidence and momentum before the daunting trip.

Despite City’s own struggles in the league, their quality remains undisputed, particularly at home. Heading into that game on the back of a six-match winless streak would make Chelsea’s task all the more challenging. Notably, Chelsea have not beaten Manchester City since their famous 1-0 victory in the 2021 UEFA Champions League final.

Key Streaks and Records at Stake

Chelsea’s recent record against Wolves has been less than stellar, losing three of their last four Premier League encounters with them—matching their total losses from the previous 17 meetings. The Blues, however, enjoyed a dominant 6-2 win in the reverse fixture back in August and will look to replicate that performance.

Last season, Wolves triumphed 4-2 in this fixture, powered by a Matheus Cunha hat-trick. They have not secured consecutive away league wins against Chelsea since 1964, a statistic the Blues will hope to keep intact.

Chelsea’s recent Monday night defeat to Ipswich ended an eight-game winning streak on that day. They haven’t lost back-to-back Monday fixtures since 2015, a record they will aim to protect. Meanwhile, Wolves have started 2025 in dismal form, suffering consecutive 3-0 defeats. The last team to begin a calendar year with three losses by three or more goals was Nottingham Forest in 1910.

A Pivotal Match

As Chelsea prepare for a challenging run of fixtures, starting with Wolves, this match presents an opportunity to reset and get their season back on track. A win at Stamford Bridge would not only secure a vital three points but also inject much-needed momentum as they enter a crucial phase of the campaign.