Wolves Preview

James · February 19, 2010

Chelsea look to get back to winning ways in the Premier League against 16th place Wolves at Molineux at a 3 o clock kick-off on Saturday. Last weekendâ€™s loss to Everton has reduced Chelseaâ€™s lead at the top of the Premier League to a mere point and before they’ve even kicked-off at Molineux, Chelsea could be sitting in second place if Manchester United are victorious against Everton at Goodison Park. However all is not blue at Chelsea as the squad and manager will no doubt be pleased with their clinical second half FA Cup performance against Cardiff to advance Chelsea through to the quarter final stage of that competition.

This is the game before the crucial Champions League knock-out round first leg against Italian champions Inter Milan at the San Siro. Carlo Ancelotti will know of the great dangers that the Italian club under Jose Mourinho will cause but he will also be aware that he cannot overlook Wolves who are capable of causing a shock at home.

These to sides met earlier in the season with the result being a comfortable 4-0 victory to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. On that day Essien grabbed 2 but he , along with Ashley Cole are two first teamers who are certain to miss the game because of long term injuries. Yuri Zhirkov is expected to slot into left back , a position he has played many times for his country , Russia.

For Wolves Dave Edwards will hope to be given the all clear having overcome an ankle injury. One man who will not play is Michael Mancienne who will not be allowed to play against his parent club. Chris Iwelumo has left the club on loan in search of first team football at Bristol City.

Though Wolves sit only a point off the relegation zone , they will be in confident mood having turned over Tottenham 1-0 last weekend. Though the league table may suggest otherwise , Wolves will not be pushovers at home having earned draws against the likes of Liverpool and Villa at Molineux thus far this season.

In a move that will raise a chuckle from those who believe that the FA is secretly operated by Alex Ferguson , Wolves have been handed a £25,000 suspended fine because of fielding a reserve side against Man Utd earlier in the season and gifting them 3 points. This move by the FA practically ensures that the Wolves side that will face Chelsea this weekend will be as strong as Mick McCarthy can muster up. Timely move by the FA.

For Chelsea victory is essential. Carlo Ancelottiâ€™s men have seen their top of the table lead being eroded beneath them and now with only a point dividing Chelsea and Manchester United, dropped points against clubs such as Wolves is unacceptable at this point in the season if this is to be a premier league winning season for the boys from the Bridge.

While Chelsea are battling at the very top of the table , Wolves are embroiled in a relegation battle down the bottom. Both sides will be desperate for a result but both for very different reasons.

Expected Line-up

Cech

Ivanovic , Carvalho , Terry , Zhirkov

Ballack , Mikel , Lampard

Kalou , Drogba , Anelka

Following Joe Coleâ€™s poor first half performance and half time substitution against Cardiff, I expect to see Kalou start on the right wing after entering an impressive second half display (including an excellent headed goal), the rest of the team practically picks itself. Of Course Ancelotti could revert back to his diamond formation following Anelkaâ€™s dip in form due to being moved out wide to accommodate the return of Didier Drogba.

Main Man

Didier Drogba has been in blistering form since his return from the African Cup of Nations. He has grabbed four goals in four games and having fired out a mid-week challenge to Wayne Rooney declaring that he can score more goals than Rooney come the end of the season , Drogba will be looking to continue demolishing defences up and down the country this weekend.

The Danger Man

Kevin Doyle will be the man who wields the biggest threat to the Chelsea defence. The Irish international is a very talented player who has a decent scoring record this season with 6 goals. Doyle is also a threat from set pieces which infamously have been Chelseaâ€™s Achilles’ heel this season. Chelsea will need to keep a close eye on Doyle throughout the game.

Prediction

Although Wolves will be desperate for a result and confident following a vital win last weekend , you would still have to back Chelsea. If indeed Chelsea do start this game in second place then this side , with such strong characters in it , will be foaming at the mouth to regain top spot and they may look to make a statement while doing it and all of that could prove bad news for Wolves. With Drogba having the best season of his career and the likes of Malouda and Lampard hitting form there is no reason why Chelsea should not be the heavy favourites in this game.

Prediction: Chelsea 3-0 Wolves