Preview: Chelsea v Wolves – can Wolves beat the Blues?

Wolves correspondent Tim Spiers previews the clash.

Preamble

In the Premier League era Wolves have realistically only travelled to Stamford Bridge in hope, rather than expectation, of getting a result.

Those faint hopes have usually been dashed in the first 30 minutes – on their past four visits the scorelines at that point have been 3-0, 2-0, 1-0 and 3-0.

This time around, though, they will fancy their chances of at the very least scoring at Stamford Bridge for the first time since 2004.

Their record against the big six this season suggest they can do that. They've netted in six of eight games and taken nine points, including three against Chelsea in a memorable comeback victory back in December.

Nuno Espirito Santo switched to 3-5-2 that night, a tactical tweak which has instigated a run of 11 wins in 19 matches in all competitions.

Indeed, including that memorable 2-1 victory on December 5, Wolves have earned 27 points to Chelsea's 25 (albeit having played one more game).

"That (win) was a very important moment because it ended a very bad moment, a bad run we had," Nuno said on Friday.

"It was a turning point in the competition but we know there are always ups and downs."

John Ruddy insisted this week there's no talk in the dressing room of that huge FA Cup quarter final against Manchester United next weekend.

We'll see at 1.05pm (!) on Sunday whether Nuno's team selection reflects the 'not looking ahead' approach. Diogo Jota and possibly Joao Moutinho may find themselves rested ahead of what is undoubtedly Wolves' biggest game of an increasingly enthralling and successful campaign.

The opposition

We spoke to Chelsea expert Simon Phillips to get the lowdown on the Blues.

Team news

Ryan Bennett is suspended for two league games after picking up his 10th booking of the season last weekend.

Romain Saiss and Leander Dendoncker are the most likely candidates to deputise at centre-half and will probably be up against Eden Hazard.

Nuno suggested on Friday that young defender Max Kilman will replace Bennett in the match-day squad. The boss also confirmed Rui Patricio will be back in goal.

Chelsea also have next-to-no absentees. Maurizio Sarri said on Thursday that Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who scored at Molineux earlier in the season, isn't currently fit to start matches owing to a back problem.

The Chelsea boss will rotate his squad, with the Wolves game sandwiched in-between Europa League matches against Dynamo Kiev on successive Thursdays.

Danny Drinkwater, who hasn't featured this season, is back in training, while Marco van Ginkel is a long-term absentee.

Likely line ups

Chelsea (4-3-3): Kepa; Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Luiz, Emerson; Barkley, Jorginho, Kante; Willian, Higuain, Hazard.

Wolves (3-5-2): Patricio; Dendoncker, Coady, Boly; Doherty, Neves, Moutinho, Saiss, Otto; Jimenez, Jota. Subs: Ruddy, Kilman, Vinagre, Gibbs-White, Cavaleiro, Costa, Traore.

Key players

Chelsea – Eden Hazard

Belgian superstar who on his day can win a game on his own. Netted 10 goals in 10 games for club and country towards the start of the season. Tailed off since then – and indeed has only scored three times in 14 matches this calendar year – but with his ability he can play poorly and still prove to be the difference.

Wolves – Raul Jimenez

An obvious choice but if Wolves are to win this game it's likely Jimenez will play a key role. The Mexican has scored five goals and set up two in his past seven appearances.

The bosses

Maurizio Sarri: "(Callum Hudson-Odoi) is in my mind for every match. I think in England he is the only player born in 2000 with 16 matches at the top level. I am convinced he is a great player, but in my opinion a player at 18 cannot be at the top."

Nuno Espirito Santo: "We don’t think about beating them – we think about Chelsea and we know what we’re going to face; fantastic players, a fantastic manager, ideal football. It's very difficult but we have to try and be focused on what we can do to prevent Chelsea to play. When you have the ball you have to play, of course. And we know how to play."

Form

Chelsea WWLWL

Mar 3: Fulham 1 (Chambers 27) Chelsea 2 (Higuain 20, Jorginho 31)

Feb 27: Chelsea 2 (Pedro 57, Trippier OG 84) Tottenham Hotspur 0

Feb 24: Chelsea 0 Manchester City 0 (3-4 on pens) *Carabao Cup final

Feb 21: Chelsea 3 (Giroud 55, Barkley 74, Hudson-Odoi 84) Malmo 0 *Europa League last 32

Feb 18: Chelsea 0 Manchester United 2 (Herrera 31, Pogba 45) *FA Cup fifth round

Wolves WLDWD

Mar 2: Wolves 2 (Jota 16, Jimenez 18) Cardiff City 0

Feb 26: Huddersfield Town 1 (Mounie 90+1) Wolves 0

Feb 23: Bournemouth (King pen 14) Wolves 1 (Jimenez pen 83)

Feb 17: Bristol City 0 Wolves 1 (Cavaleiro 28) *FA Cup

Feb 11: Wolves 1 (Boly 90+5) Newcastle United 1 (Hayden 56)

Past five meetings

Dec 5, 2018 (PL): Wolves 2 (Jimenez 59, Jota 63) Chelsea 1 (Loftus-Cheek 18)

Feb 18, 2017 (FA Cup): Wolves 0 Chelsea 2 (Pedro 65, Costa 89)

Sep 25, 2012 (EFL Cup): Chelsea 6 (Cahill 4, Bertrand 8, Mata 17, Romeu pen 53, Torres 58, Moses 71) Wolves 0

Jan 2, 2012 (PL): Wolves 1 (Ward 84) Chelsea 2 (Ramires 54, Lampard 89)

Nov 26, 2011 (PL): Chelsea 3 (Terry 7, Sturridge 29, Mata 45) Wolves 0

Match facts

• Wolves have failed to score in their last four games at Stamford Bridge, losing 6-0 (in the EFL Cup), 3-0, 2-0 and 4-0.

• They last won at Chelsea in 1979, with goals from Billy Rafferty and John Richards earning a 2-1 victory

• Since (and including) Wolves' 2-1 victory over Chelsea in December they have earned 27 points to Chelsea's 25 (with Wolves having played a game more)

• Wolves have only used 19 players in the Premier League this season, the fewest of any team

• Wolves are unbeaten in the five games they've played in London this season (won three, drawn two)

• Wolves have won more points against the big six (nine) than any other team outside the top six has managed in the Premier League

Referee

Michael Oliver (Northumberland)

Considered to be one of the best referees on the circuit, Champions League and international referee Oliver has shown six red cards and 116 yellows in 33 matches in all competitions.

His only Wolves game this season was their 1-0 win at Crystal Palace last October when he handed out seven bookings.

Match odds

Chelsea 8/15, draw 3/1, Wolves 6/1