Chelsea are set to face Wolves at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Saturday, with both teams vying against each other for three important points.
The Blues have gained some momentum under new manager Graham Potter, winning two games on the bounce. They came from behind to beat Crystal Palace 2-1 away before following it up with a clinical 3-0 win over AC Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Wolves, on the other hand, have endured a tough season so far and slipped into the relegation zone after the defeat to West Ham last weekend. Just six points from the first eight games has led to the sacking of Bruno Lage, with the development coaches Steve Davis and James Collins in line to be in the dugout after taking training this week.
On that note, here are some of the key battles worth keeping an eye on Saturday.
#Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang vs Max Kilman
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored in back-to-back games for Chelsea and will look to add to his tally in the next game against Wolves.
The Gabonese has shown glimpses of his brilliance in the last two matches, linking well with the likes of Raheem Sterling, Mason Mount and Kai Havertz. And if he gets quality service from the creative talents of Chelsea, the striker could be lethal in the box.
However, it would not be easy for Aubameyang as he will be up against one of the talented defenders in the Premier League in the form of Max Kilman. Kilman, Wolves’ defensive lynchpin, will look to stop Aubameyang from scoring against his team and add to his tally. It promises to be an exciting contest.
#Mason Mount vs Ruben Neves
Mason Mount could be handed another start for Chelsea after a strong performance against AC Milan in the Champions League.
The England international likes to exploit spaces between defenders, and his incisive passing can open up a rigid Wolves backline. If given time and space on the ball, Mount can cause problems for the Wolves side not in the best of forms at the moment.
That said, the onus of keeping Mount under check will be on Ruben Neves. Having started in a three-man backline against West Ham, Neves is likely to start in his preferred role in midfield this time around. The Portuguese must bring all his experience and skill set into play to stop Mount from making late runs into the box.
#Diego Costa vs Thiago Silva
Wolves have been goal shy again this season with just three strikes from eight games. Sasa Kalajdzic is a long-term absentee, while Raul Jimenez is struggling to be fit for the World Cup due to a groin problem. Goncalo Guedes proved ineffective leading the line against West Ham, so there’s every chance the coaching staff turn to Diego Costa for goals.
Costa, signed on a free transfer in the wake of Kalajdzic’s season-ending injury, will be extra motivated to face his former employers. With his strength, power and nasty nature of unsettling defenders, there are rarely better defenders than Thiago Silva to contain him.
A vocal leader with a ton of experience at the highest level, Silva will have a trick or two up his sleeves to deal with the ferocious Costa. Thus, the duel between the Chelsea defender and the Wolves marksman will be one to keep an eye on.