Chelsea head to Molineux on Saturday carrying momentum, belief, and a very clear objective: to keep their top-five push firmly on track in the Premier League as the season enters a decisive stretch.
The Blues dismantled Wolves 3-0 at Stamford Bridge back in November in a dominant display, and they now face a side that has slipped alarmingly into deep relegation trouble since that meeting, making this encounter feel crucial for very different reasons at opposite ends of the table.
For fans tuning in to watch Premier League action, this fixture carries sharply different stakes for each club, with Chelsea viewing it as another vital step toward the Champions League places and Wolves seeing it as yet another desperate attempt to halt a slide that threatens to end in relegation.
Recent Setback, Bigger Picture Still Positive
Midweek disappointment at the Emirates Stadium against Arsenal in the EFL Cup semi-final second leg did little to dent the broader optimism building around Chelsea under Liam Rosenior. A stoppage-time strike from former Blue Kai Havertz sealed a narrow 1-0 defeat and denied Chelsea a trip to Wembley, but the performance still offered encouragement in terms of tactical structure, intensity, and control against elite opposition.
Rosenior’s work since his appointment has been immediate and visible, reshaping the side’s confidence and cohesion in a short space of time.
Since taking charge a month ago, Rosenior has won six of his first eight matches across all competitions, a run that includes three straight Premier League victories that have lifted Chelsea into fifth place. They now sit just one point behind fourth-placed Manchester United with 14 games still to play, placing the Champions League firmly within reach if this consistency can be maintained.
Comeback spirit was on full display last weekend when Chelsea overturned a two-goal halftime deficit to beat West Ham United 3-2, with Enzo Fernandez striking a dramatic 92nd-minute winner that perfectly captured the renewed belief flowing through this squad. Rosenior is now chasing a slice of Premier League history as he aims to become only the second English manager to win his first four top-flight matches in charge.
A Fixture Chelsea Have Dominated
Chelsea have already faced Wolves twice this season and scored freely in both meetings, first in a chaotic 4-3 EFL Cup thriller before following that with a comfortable and composed 3-0 league victory. They also produced a remarkable 6-2 demolition at Molineux last season, and confidence will be high given how regularly they have breached Wolves’ defence in recent encounters.
Not since the 2016-17 campaign have Chelsea scored three or more goals against the same opponent in three different games in a single season, underlining how favourable this matchup has become for the London side in recent years.
History leans heavily in their favour here, with the Blues winning their last three league meetings against Wolves by an aggregate score of 12-3. The tactical matchups, the pace in wide areas, and Chelsea’s ability to transition quickly have repeatedly caused Wolves problems, and Rosenior will see this as an opportunity to continue building momentum against an opponent his side has consistently overpowered.
Wolves Sliding Towards Trouble
Wolverhampton Wanderers began 2026 with a four-game unbeaten run across competitions, but that resilience has quickly evaporated as the pressure of their league position intensifies. Back-to-back 2-0 defeats to Manchester City and AFC Bournemouth have left them 18 points from safety, and the mood around Molineux has shifted from cautious hope to grim acceptance that relegation is becoming increasingly likely with each passing week.
Planning for life in the Championship appears to have already started behind the scenes, with the £48 million sale of last season’s top scorer Jorgen Strand Larsen raising funds and new arrivals Adam Armstrong and Angel Gomes tasked with refreshing a squad that has struggled for attacking consistency. Goals remain the glaring issue, with Wolves failing to score in 13 of their 24 league matches this season, the worst ratio seen since Norwich’s difficult campaign in 2021-22. At Molineux, the numbers are even more concerning, with just four goals scored across their last seven home league matches, and outside of one explosive half against West Ham, they have managed to score only once from 59 shots across 13 halves of football.
Team News and Selection Headaches
Wolves remain without Toti Gomes, while Ladislav Krejci faces a late fitness check as Rob Edwards searches for solutions in a squad short on confidence and attacking rhythm. Adam Armstrong could be handed a start up front as Wolves attempt to rediscover some cutting edge, while young midfielder Mateus Mane, still only 18, has quietly become their most productive attacking outlet in terms of shots and creativity since breaking into the side in December.
Chelsea’s injury list, meanwhile, is longer and presents Rosenior with selection challenges of his own, as Jamie Gittens, Levi Colwill, Tosin Adarabioyo, Romeo Lavia, Dario Essugo, and Mykhaylo Mudryk are all unavailable. Reece James and Pedro Neto remain doubts after missing the Arsenal clash, but there is encouraging news in the return readiness of Cole Palmer and Estevao Willian, who are both fit to start after substitute appearances in midweek. They are expected to support the in-form Joao Pedro, who has scored five goals in his last eight Premier League matches and has become a key figure in Chelsea’s attacking resurgence.
What to Expect at Molineux
This matchup places one of the league’s most confident attacking sides against one of its most goal-shy and vulnerable defences, creating a clear contrast in momentum and belief. Chelsea arrive with tactical clarity, attacking rhythm, and a manager eager to continue his remarkable early record, while Wolves face another daunting test as they search for pride, resistance, and any sign of attacking fluency.
How to Watch
Supporters can catch Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Chelsea live from Molineux on Saturday afternoon as the Premier League action continues to build toward a decisive phase of the season.
The match will be broadcast live on official league rights holders depending on your region, with comprehensive coverage beginning shortly before kickoff including pre-match analysis, team news, and tactical insight.
In the United Kingdom, the game is expected to be shown live on one of the primary Premier League broadcasters, while viewers in the United States can follow the match via NBC’s platforms, including their streaming services.
International audiences can access the fixture through their local Premier League television partners or official streaming providers that hold rights in their country.
Fans can also follow live radio commentary, in-game clips, and real-time updates through the clubs’ official channels and Premier League digital platforms, ensuring there are multiple ways to stay across the action as it unfolds at Molineux.
The post Chelsea vs Wolves: Predicted Lineups, Timeline and How to Watch appeared first on Gooner Daily.
