Wolves vs Chelsea: Match Preview, Latest Team News and How to Watch | OneFootball

Wolves vs Chelsea – Carabao Cup clash with pressure rising at Molineux

Wolves’ crisis deepens ahead of Chelsea showdown

When Wolves welcome Chelsea to Molineux in the Carabao Cup last 16, the mood could not be more different between the two clubs. Wolves find themselves rooted to the bottom of the Premier League, a side in free fall and without a league win since April. Their 3-2 defeat to Burnley on Sunday encapsulated their season, moments of fight swallowed by chaos and fragility.

Vitor Pereira’s side battled back from 2-0 down only to lose in stoppage time, triggering another outpouring of frustration from the stands. The manager’s heated post-match exchange with fans, some chanting “you’re getting sacked in the morning”, summed up a toxic atmosphere that feels like it could spill over again under the lights.

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For Pereira, the Carabao Cup is no longer a distraction. It is a lifeline. Having already beaten West Ham and Everton in previous rounds, he now faces a Chelsea side looking to reassert control after their own wobble.

Chelsea’s setback and search for rhythm

Chelsea’s recent defeat to Sunderland was an unwelcome reality check. After four consecutive wins across all competitions, they appeared to be rediscovering their rhythm under Enzo Maresca. Yet a 94th-minute winner at Stamford Bridge turned celebration into consternation, dropping them to ninth in the table.

It was the sort of loss that cuts deeper because it felt avoidable. Chelsea led early, pressed for more, and were punished on the counter. For all their possession and control, their vulnerability in transition resurfaced. That, more than anything, is what Maresca will want to fix ahead of this trip to Molineux.

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The Carabao Cup offers a chance for reset. It allows rotation, recovery, and perhaps a reminder of what the team is trying to build. Liam Delap could return to action after a hamstring injury, providing more movement in attack. Cole Palmer and Benoit Badiashile remain out until December, while Levi Colwill and Dario Essugo are still sidelined. Malo Gusto’s return from suspension will be timely, though Mykhailo Mudryk remains unavailable.

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Wolves’ growing disconnect

Wolves’ problems extend far beyond the pitch. Pereira, who only signed a new three-year deal in September, looks increasingly isolated. The supporters who once backed his survival mission last season now appear unconvinced. “He talks about passion, but we want points,” one fan was overheard saying outside Molineux after the Burnley loss.

In football terms, Wolves lack balance. Their attacking patterns remain sporadic, their defending fragile, and the confidence that once defined them has vanished. Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Hwang Hee-chan are back fit, yet neither can mask the growing disconnect between players and supporters.

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There are still moments of defiance. Strand Larsen continues to provide flashes of energy and invention, while Jose Sa’s saves keep games respectable. But the structure that once underpinned their success under Nuno Espirito Santo and briefly revived under Pereira has crumbled. Wolves need more than just a result – they need belief, and quickly.

Prediction and perspective

Form often dictates football’s rhythm, and in this case, Chelsea hold every advantage. Their defeat to Sunderland will sting, but it might also sharpen their focus. Facing a side in Wolves’ state of disarray provides an opportunity to re-establish momentum.

Chelsea’s depth and technical precision should tell, especially with Maresca expected to make changes. Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo are managing minor knocks, yet even with a rotated squad, Chelsea’s quality in possession and organisation out of it gives them an edge.

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Wolves’ fans will demand a reaction, but there’s a growing sense that frustration might outweigh faith. If early setbacks occur, Molineux could again become restless.

Prediction: Chelsea to win 3-0.

Head-to-head history

Chelsea have enjoyed dominance in recent meetings, winning both Premier League clashes last season, 6-2 away and 3-1 at Stamford Bridge in January. Wolves had previously won three in a row, but the balance of power has shifted. Their last Carabao Cup encounter, back in 2012, also ended in a 6-0 Chelsea win.

Overall record:

The numbers tell their own story, two clubs whose paths have diverged sharply in recent years. For Wolves, survival is now the measure. For Chelsea, progress in the Carabao Cup is about validation. Both need a win for entirely different reasons.