Chelsea managed by Enzo Maresca face a possible test against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge Monday night which could be critical in the battle for Champions League places and Premier League relegation.
The Blues are in sixth position in the English Premier League with 37 points two points behind the fifth placed Newcastle United, while the Wolves had a humiliating 3-0 loss to Newcastle on January 15 and are currently placed 17 with 16 points same as the 18th placed Ipswich Town.
Chelsea lost a game point to Bournmouth in the last match in the league at their home ground on Tuesday in a 2-2 draw that saw the Cherries coming with several of their key players out of injures and the Blues needing a 95th minute equaliser by Reece James to be grateful for the draw.
Certain observers believed that the Blues would be in a position to stage a incredible title rampage, but although Maresca has indeed impoved with his youthful and gifted squad, his team is thirteen points off Liverpool.
The hosts have failed to register any victory in their last five league encounters, with three games ending in draw and two going to the away side.
Chelsea have somewhat looked more extended periods of struggling to score recently as they have scored four times in their last five top-flight matches, but their total record of 41 goals scored stands as the fourth best in the division.
Maresca’s side have managed only 4 shutouts in the 21 Premier League games this season and have let in 7 goals in the last 4 games in the English top tier.
Chelsea has better statistics at home in 2024-25 season and they have won ten matches, four matches have been drawn and one match has been lost while playing at Stamford Bridge in their last fifteen encounters but in their last three home matches, one match has been drawn and one match has been lost.
In the rematch on August 25, the Blues defeated Monday's opponents 6-2 at Molineux, with a hat-trick from Noni Madueke.
Wolves would believe that, given that they generated five excellent chances, they should have at least scored when they lost to Newcastle.
In his first two league games as manager, Vitor Pereira defeated Manchester United 2-0 and Leicester City 3-0. However, in his next three games as manager, he has lost two and drawn one.
Wolves have scored 31 goals in the Premier League, more than any other team in the bottom nine except Tottenham Hotspur, so if they are demoted from the top tier at the end of the season, it won't be for want of menace in the final third.
Pereira's team is the joint poorest defensive team in the division, though, having also given up 48 goals.
Given that they have won two, drawn one, and lost three of their last six away games, the visitors' road record in recent weeks has been inconsistent.
Chelsea will be missing many players on Monday, including Levi Colwill and center-backs Benoit Badiashile and Wesley Fofana.
Trevor Chalobah, who was summoned up from his loan with Crystal Palace earlier this week, might be Colwill's partner if he is deemed healthy.
Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez are also doubts, but given how important they are to the Blues, it would be shocking if they were left off the starting lineup.
Expect Andre and Joao Gomes to link up in the middle of the pitch since Wolves will not be able to choose midfielder Boubacar Traore.
Winger Enso Gonzalez and striker Sasa Kalajdzic are out, and despite his recent illness, Matheus Cunha is still expected to play in attack.
