Whichever way you look at it, this is a massive test for Wolves and we’ll need a gargantuan effort from everyone involved if we’re to pick up anything against Carlo Ancelloti’s side.
Essien scored twice at Stamford Bridge
I had the misfortune of being at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season, as Chelsea wiped the floor with us inside twenty minutes without breaking sweat. That was a sobering experience and one I wouldn’t care to repeat tomorrow.
Nothing was right about Wolves that day; strange tactics, odd team selection and horrendous individual errors cost us dearly. in truth, despite creating one or two good openings ourselves, we were lucky to escape with just a 4-0 defeat. 10-2 would probably have been a fairer reflection of the game.
I’m expecting much better this time.
For one thing, the team picks itself, which makes a nice change, so there shouldn’t be any nasty surprises:
Zubar
Craddock
Berra
Ward
Foley
Henry
Guedioura
Jones
Jarvis
The 4-5-1 formation also gives us a clear tactics and a proper game plan, which are essential for trying to get anything from a side boasting superior talent. having that extra man in midfield certainly makes us a better defensive unit, so lets just hope it works as well against the league leaders as it did against Liverpool and Spurs.
Both sides have enjoyed a week off, which is particularly useful for Chelsea, as top sides rarely get such a lengthy break at the business end of a season. That probably doesn’t bode well.
On the injury front, Ashley Cole is out for them, which is good news. He’s been one of their better players of late and was a constant thorn in our side in the previous meeting between the sides. Essien has also been struggling and he was another player that completely dominated us at Stamford Bridge, so I wouldn’t be upset to see his name missing from their starting eleven.
But let’s not fool ourselves, whatever side Chelsea put out, we’re going to be stretched to our absolute limit. the mauling they handed out to us back in November was inflicted without Lampard, Drogba or Ballack even in the squad.
In fairness though, Wolves were without Kevin Doyle, they employed an odd 3-5-1-1 formation and Hennessy let two soft goals squirm under his body. hardly ideal.
Like I say, much better is expected from us in this match and at the very least, it would be nice to see Wolves give a good account of themselves.
I can’t forecast anything other than defeat, but Chelsea haven’t been particularly good on the road of late, so there’s a small glimmer of hope in that respect.
My prediction: 3-1 Chelsea.
If you’re going to the game, enjoy the occasion and get right behind the lads.
Up the Wolves.
Wolves Vs Chelsea Preview
Tags: craddock, stamford bridge, team selection, twenty minutes
