Premier League team news and prediction: Chelsea vs Wolves
Frank Lampard's sudden departure as Chelsea manager sent shockwaves through European football at the start of the week. Chelsea reluctantly pulled the trigger on the club's iconic midfielder on Monday following a run of five defeats in eight league matches.
Former Paris Saint-Germain manager Thomas Tuchel has already been appointed Lampard's replacment and is hoping to be in the dugout for their match with Wolves in midweek. Ahead of such an important match, we have all your need-to-know match information in one place.
When is kick off?
Wednesday 27th January, 18:00 GMT
Where is the match?
Stamford Bridge, London
Where can I watch it?
BT Sport 1 / BT Sport Ultimate
Form Guide
Chelsea celebrated a 3-1 victory over Championship side Luton in the FA Cup at the weekend but their recent results have been nothing to cheer about. Lampard lost his job after proceeding over three wins in 10 Premier League matches. Chelsea head into the midweek round of games in mid-table and 11 points off top spot.
Wolves have endured a similarly difficult season. Albeit 10 points from relegation, Wolves are in the bottom half of the table and winless in six Premier League matches. Nuno's side have really struggled since Raul Jimenez's injury but will hope Willian Jose's arrival will give them a boost in attack.
Team News
It remains to be seen how Chelsea will line-up in Thomas Tuchel's first match in charge. The German is known for being tactically flexibile so it wouldn't be a surprise if they lined up in a back three here. He has been hired to bring the best out of Timo Werner and Kai Havertz but it remains to be seen whether they will start straight away. Tammy Abraham scored a hat-trick in Lampard's last game in charge and will be disappointed if he doesn't get the nod up front. Jorginho and Antonio Rudiger were two players Tuchel wanted at PSG, so expect them to get a run in the side at one point. N'Golo Kante is the only injury concern for the hosts.
Wolves supporters will be desperate to see new signing Willian Jose get a full debut on Wednesday after his loan arrival from Real Sociedad over the weekend. Wolves have desperately missed a vocal point in attack, with 18-year-old Fabio Silva enduring a tough start to life in English football. Left-backs Marcal and Jonny remain sidelined, while Daniel Podence is a doubt for the away side.
Probable XIs:
Chelsea (433): Mendy; James, Rudiger, Silva, Chilwell; Kovacic, Jorginho, Mount; Ziyech, Abraham, Pulisic
Wolves (433): Patricio; Semedo, Boly, Coady, Ait-Nouri; Dendoncker, Neves, Moutinho; Traore, Willian Jose, Pedro Neto
Key Battle: Christian Pulisic vs Adama Traore
Chelsea supporters will hope Thomas Tuchel's arrival will spark Christian Pulisic in to the form they saw at the back end of last season. No doubt still on the way back from a serious hamstring injury, Pulisic has still really struggled to hit top gear so far this season. Certainly not alone at Chelsea in that regard, Pulisic has so far returned just one goal and no assists in 12 league appearances.
The same is true of Adama Traore at Wolves. The Spain international appeared to add end product to his devastating runs last season and finished the campaign with 13 goals and assists despite dislocating his shoulder on numerous occasions. It led to talk of a big money move in the summer but that didnt materialise and he has struggled to get going this season. Traore has featured in all but one of Wolves' Premier League matches this season but is yet to score or assist.
Scoreline Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Wolves
