Match Thread: Chelsea v Wolves 8pm KO 20.01.25
A rare moment of hope!
By Ivybridge Wolf
January 20 2025
Another important match for Wolves tonight with an 8pm kick-off at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea. Over the weekend, all three teams below us lost: Leicester equalled our 48 goals conceded, and Southampton went to 50. Crucially, Everton's win over Spurs has created a four-point gap between us in 17th and them in 16th. A draw tonight could be viewed as extremely valuable considering recent 3-0 losses to Newcastle and Forest have hurt our goal difference, effectively setting us back an extra point. Despite creating great chances lately, we struggle to score and defend poorly. Larsen, despite a good finish at Tottenham, has missed key opportunities, with Guedes and Hwang also lacking credit in front of goal.
This match serves as the return fixture of the previous encounter at Molineux, where we suffered a significant 6-2 defeat. In that game, Cole Palmer delivered an exceptional performance, effortlessly dismantling our defence, while Madueke secured a hattrick. In spite of that, the first half was incredibly open, concluding with a 2-2 scoreline.
Recent form for Chelsea has declined, which is a positive sign for Wolves, having drawn three and lost two of their last five matches. Reports suggest that Palmer may be doubtful to start, although this remains to be confirmed. Conversely, Cunha is also a doubt due to contracting the flu last week. Although his influence was limited after his appearance against Newcastle, it is hoped he will be available today, even if only from the bench.
Additional team news indicates that Lemina and Pereira might have kissed and made up following Mario’s apology for his unavailability in our last match. There has got to be continued speculation regarding Lemina's potential departure this month.
Apart from the awful defeat in August, Wolves’ performance against Chelsea has been commendable, having won the previous three league matches. The most recent victory at Stamford Bridge was an impressive 4-2 win, featuring an own goal from Chelsea, three goals from Cunha, and notable contributions from Neto. It will be interesting to see if Pedro will be in Chelsea's starting eleven tonight, considering the seeming common occurrence of former players scoring against us. If Wolves can just find bite up front, it is worth remembering that Chelsea have only kept one clean sheet this season, promising for Wolves. However, on the downside, Wolves haven’t kept a clean sheet in London for the past 22 matches. Swings and roundabouts!
The match will be broadcast live on Sky tonight, adding to the list of our upcoming televised games. I will be following the game with Ivybridge Wolves at a local hostelry. We hope to avenge our previous loss at Molineux, although it is anticipated that The Blues will aim to exploit our inconsistent and vulnerable defence. Despite their current form, Chelsea will certainly start the match as hot favourites tonight. Good luck to Wolves!
Please enjoy the game and share your thoughts and comments in the thread below.
UTW!!
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:02:03:10:02:53 by Ivybridge Wolf.
Subs: Jorgensen, Disasi, Felix, Nkunku, Sancho, Gusto, George, Acheampong, Guiu.
Wolves make three changes from their 3-0 defeat at Newcastle on Wednesday.
Captain Nelson Semedo returns at right wing-back and Matheus Cunha and Pablo Sarabia also return.
Rodrigo Gomes, Goncalo Guedes and Hwang Hee-Chan drop to the bench.
Wolves XI: Sa, Semedo, Doherty, Bueno, Agbadou, Ait-Nouri, Andre, Joao Gomes, Cunha, Sarabia, Strand-Larsen.
Subs: Johnstone, Hwang, Dawson, R Gomes, Doyle, Forbs, Bellegarde, Guedes, Lima.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:01:20:19:00:38 by Ivybridge Wolf.
3 very poor goals given away yet again.
Poor all over the pitch and not much fight it's sad to watch this team.
Thought starting line up was wrong from the start, God knows why he started sarabia and the kid Rodrigo has been one of our best players of late and he's benched.
Can't see any positives tonight and got no faith Jeff shi is going to bring in players.
This lot desperately need new blood but I'm not sure we are going to get it.
Fosun sleepwalking this club to relegation.
22 matches, 51 goals against? Really?
Great to see my mates and watch the match together , but overall very poor on the pitch. Has Cunha’s head been turned? His general effort was weak tonight.10 minutes at the end of the first half isn’t good enough.
Has the defending improved since Pereira joined?
What are the prospects of reinforcements? Answers on a postcard.
So disappointing and Arsenal up next. WTF! UTW!
Additionally Pereira has said Lemina is not up for selection during the transfer window - seems I may have overstated my ‘kiss and made up’ assertion in my intro.
All is not well in the camp again - not for the first time. For me, once again I’m struggling to see where our next point is coming from. Arsenal will rubbing their hands in anticipation of Saturday.