Chelsea faced Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, November 8, 2025, in a Premier League match where the Blues aimed to solidify their position in the top half of the table.
Chelsea entered the match in seventh place, looking to capitalize on their recent 1-0 victory over Tottenham and put behind them a disappointing 2-2 draw against Qarabag in Champions League play. Meanwhile, Wolves were in a dire situation, sitting at the bottom of the league table without a win in their first ten games, which led to the sacking of their manager, Vítor Pereira. Under-21 coach James Collins took charge of the team for this match.
Team News
Chelsea's preparations were hampered by injuries. Romeo Lavia was ruled out after being injured in the midweek game, and Pedro Neto faced a late fitness test. Cole Palmer, Benoit Badiashile, Levi Colwill, and Dario Essugo remained sidelined. However, the return of Liam Delap from suspension boosted Chelsea's attacking options. The confirmed Chelsea lineup was: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Pedro Neto, Joao Pedro, Garnacho; Delap.
Wolves also had injury concerns, with Matt Doherty and Rodrigo Gomes unavailable. The absence of several senior players meant that Collins might have to call upon U21 players to fill the bench.
Match Preview
Chelsea had been inconsistent in their league form, but their strong home record gave them an edge. Wolves, on the other hand, were in disastrous form, having lost their last four league matches and conceding 11 goals in the process.
Enzo Maresca, Chelsea's manager, rotated the squad to manage fatigue after their long trip to Azerbaijan. He made eight changes to the starting lineup. Wolves, under interim management, hoped to overcome their poor form and cause an upset at Stamford Bridge.
Pre-match Analysis
Chelsea were looking for their fourth consecutive victory against Wolves in all competitions. The previous encounter between the two sides was a thrilling 4-3 win for Chelsea in the Carabao Cup. Pundits predicted a comfortable win for Chelsea, with many expecting them to exploit Wolves' vulnerable defense. Paul Merson predicted a 3-0 victory for Chelsea.
The match was broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK.
