Chelsea vs Wolves - Match Preview

If ever there was a must win game for a Chelsea boss, this afternoon's tie just has to be it. New boss Andre Villas-Boas has come under significant scrutiny over the last couple of weeks for what is now officially the wost start to a season since chairman Roman Abramaovich took over in 2003. The bottom line is he won't survive too long as manager with a side that isn't competing at the top. Going in to today's fixture they lie 12 points adrift from Manchester City and they suffered a defeat in the Champions League this week at Bayer Leverkusen that has left many wondering just what the side might be capable of this season. Today they take on Mick McCarthy's Wolves, a fixture earlier in the season that probably looked a doddle, but not with their current run of form of four defeats in their last seven league games. One suspects there's more chance than ever of Wolves pulling a result out of the bag at Stamford Bridge today. The longer the game stays at 0-0, the more restless the Chelsea supporters and the players will be, you have to feel like the first twenty minutes to half an hour will be crucial. Wolves lost at Everton last week but have played better over recent weeks than they have all campaign and they are likely to attempt to park the bus at Stamford Bridge this afternoon.

Team News

In such a big game, Villas-Boas needs to pick players who are getting the results for him. Daniel Sturridge has scored more goals than Dider Drogba, Nicolas Anelka and Fernando Torres combined in the league this season and is sure to get the nod ahead of his more senior rivals. Speaking of senior players, Ashley Cole will return to the side after missing the Leverkusen game. No other injury worries to concern Villas-Boas expect long term absentee Michael Essien. Wolves are missing key players Jamie O'Hara and Stephen Hunt with suspension that could be significant. Matt Jarvis and Adlene Guedioura will likely replace them. Right back Richard Stearman is out with a broken wrist but that could mean a first start in nine months for Ronald Zubar.

Line-ups from;

Chelsea (from): Cech, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Alex, Cole, Luiz, Mikel, Romeu, Ramires, Lampard, Mata, Malouda, Meireles, McEachran, Torres, Drogba, Kalou, Sturridge, Lukaku, Turnbull. Wolves (from): Hennessey, De Vries, Zubar, Johnson, Berra, Ward, Hammill, Henry, Guedioura, Jarvis, Doyle, Doherty, Elokobi, Craddock, Milijas, Edwards, Ebanks-Blake, Fletcher, Doherty.