With five points from their first four games, Chelsea have made a decent start to the league campaign under new manager Frank Lampard. The Blues drew games against Leicester City and more recently against Sheffield United at home and will look to get back to winning ways after the international break when they face Wolverhampton Wanderers today.
They face a Wolves side that has had a mixed start to their campaign. Nuno Santo’s men are yet to register a win in the league but have done well on their European adventures and will believe that they have what it takes to beat the visitors in this game. They are yet to take the lead in a game this season but were unbeaten against the London club last season. Lampard needs his men to fire on all cylinders to ensure that they take all three points from this game.
Chelsea Team News
Lampard revealed that Antonio Rudiger, Mateo Kovacic and Pedro are all back in training and will be in the squad for this game. Callum Hudson-Odoi and Reece James should also be back in the next couple of weeks but midfielder N’Golo Kante has been ruled out for this game nursing an ankle injury. Ruben Loftus Cheek is the only other player on the sidelines ahead of this clash.
PREDICTED CHELSEA LINEUP vs WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS (4-3-3)
Defence
Kepa Arrizabalaga has not had the best starts to the season and will hope that he is not as busy in this game as he has been in the first four. He will need Kurt Zouma and Andreas Christensen to put in brave performances against the likes of Raul Jimenez and Diogo Jota. Rudiger, though fit, might only make the bench.
Emerson picked up a niggle on international duty but is expected to be fit and should start at left-back while Cesar Azpilicueta will look to add some experience to Chelsea’s backline for this away game.
Midfield
With Kante out injured, Lampard has to stick with Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic as his midfield pair in the Chelsea lineup. Both players will have to make sure that the likes of Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho are not allowed to dictate the pace of this game.
Attack
Tammy Abraham has found some decent form in the last few games and deserves to keep his place in the attack. He will be up against the likes of Connor Coady and Ryan Bennett, and will not find it easy to test Rui Patricio in goal.
Christian Pulisic is yet to showcase his ability in front of goal. But he has been effective in build-up play and will look to get off the mark in this game. He will start on the left flank while Pedro should make a comeback and start on the right-wing.
Young Mason Mount has been a saviour for Lampard in a couple of games already this season. His movement in and around the box could be the real danger for Wolves.
CHELSEA LINEUP:
