Chelsea predicted XI vs Wolves includes five changes from Enzo Maresca

Chelsea welcome Wolves to Stamford Bridge in a couple of days time for a Premier League fixture.

The Blues are without a win in five consecutive league matches, so it’s vital that they stop the poor streak.

It’s good news that fourth-placed Newcastle United were beaten 4-1 by Bournemouth on Saturday, so it gives Enzo Maresca’s side the chance to leapfrog back into the top four when they play on Monday.

Maresca confirmed four Chelsea players are an injury doubt to face Wolves.

Levi Colwill, Enzo Fernandez, Romeo Lavia and Cole Palmer all skipped Friday’s training session due to knocks. It’s unclear if any of the quartet, who started the midweek 2-2 draw with Bournemouth, will be available for the upcoming match.

Chelsea predicted line-up vs Wolves

Here is a look at the Chelsea line-up we’re predicting to see at home to Wolves on Monday, which includes five changes from the Bournemouth draw…

Robert Sanchez continues in-between the sticks as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper. He’d love a clean sheet because he’s conceded five goals in his last three appearances.

Blues captain Reece James may return to the starting XI for the first time in the league since November at right-back. James scored a great free-kick versus Bournemouth to rescue a point, so he’ll be buoyed by that.

Trevoh Chalobah could be thrown straight back into the line-up after his recent recall from a loan spell with Crystal Palace. Maresca gave Chalobah assurances that he’d play for Chelsea, so we’re expecting him to start immediately as the right-sided centre-back at the expense of Josh Acheampong.

If Colwill is fit, he’s a nailed-on starter. However, Renato Veiga could be the player to step in at left centre-back due to the doubt around Colwill’s fitness.

Finally, Marc Cucurella keeps his position at left-back to complete a very different back four.

Moises Caicedo had a rare off-day in the club’s previous game, but he should be back to his best as he starts in midfield rather than as an inverted right-back. Maresca is worried about burning out Chelsea’s Caicedo, but his midfield options look quite limited due to injuries.

If Lavia, Fernandez and Palmer all miss the Wolves clash with fitness problems, Chelsea could switch to a system they’ve used in cup competitions. It would result in Christopher Nkunku and Joao Felix coming into the XI to play as two No.10s.

Noni Madueke and Jadon Sancho retain their starting positions as the two wingers, even though Pedro Neto will be desperate to start against his former club.

Finally, Nicolas Jackson leads the line again as the centre-forward. He’s desperate for any kind of goal to fall his way because he’s not scored in his last five appearances.

Predicted line-up

Sanchez
James Chalobah Veiga Cucurella
Caicedo
Nkunku Felix
Madueke Jackson Sancho

IN: Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah, Renato Veiga, Christopher Nkunku, Joao Felix
OUT: Josh Acheampong, Levi Colwill Romeo Lavia, Enzo Fernandez, Cole Palmer

What to expect from Wolves

Even though Chelsea are in poor form, they’ll be favourites against a Wolves team only outside the Premier League’s relegation zone on goal difference right now.

The Blues won the reverse fixture 6-2 at Molineux Stadium back in August during the early weeks of the season. Wolves now have Vitor Pereira as their new coach in the manager’s dugout, though.

Here is a look at the six Wolves results since Pereira took charge in mid-December:

Chelsea couldn’t have picked a more favourable fixture to end their poor run, but you can’t write off any team in the Premier League this season.