Two teams that suffered first week defeats meet in the Premier League at Molineux on Sunday, as Wolves and Chelsea go head-to-head.
It’s a 2pm kick-off and the hosts will go into the clash looking for a fourth successive win over their opponents.
After another chaotic summer of incomings and outgoings at Stamford Bridge, the pressure is already mounting on new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca.
Predicted Wolves vs Chelsea starting line-ups
Wolves (4-5-1): Sa; Doherty, Mosquera, Toti, Ait-Nouri; Joao Gomes, Lemina, Rodrigo, Cunha, Hwang; Strand Larsen.
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Lavia, Caicedo; Palmer, Fernandez, Nkunku; Felix.
Felix hoping to make an impact second time around
With a week still to go of the summer window, there could yet be more transfer activity involving Chelsea.
The Portuguese forward spent a spell on loan at the Bridge in 2023, scoring four goals in 16 appearances before another loan move to Barcelona.
Maresca’s men lacked a cutting edge in their 2-0 defeat to Manchester City last week and will hope that Felix can prove to be the solution. They were equally as underwhelming in their 2-0 win over Servette in the Europa Conference League.
As the 24-year-old arrives, it looks highly likely Raheem Sterling will be leaving after expressing his frustration at being left out of the squad against Man City.
In comparison, Wolves have struggled to bring in new faces during the close season, but showed some good signs in their 2-0 defeat to Arsenal.
Wolves have beaten Chelsea on their last two visits to Molineux, including a 1-0 success last season.
Wolves vs Chelsea team news
Gary O’Neil reports no fresh injury concerns ahead of Sunday’s clash and the Wolves boss could welcome Boubacar Traore back into the squad.
The Mali international missed the game at the Emirates, but has taken part in training this week and his manager says Traore is “in a better spot”.
Matheus Cunha came off the bench against Arsenal and O’Neil says the Brazilian is fine, so could start against Chelsea.
Nelson Semedo will be missing for the home side through suspension, following his red card at Liverpool on the final day of last season.
The visitors are expected to include Felix in their matchday squad, with Nicolas Jackson looking like the player who could miss out if the new man is handed a start.
Maresca has suggested Mykhailo Mudryk is not ready for the starting XI, saying the Ukrainian’s moments in the final third are ‘like flipping a coin’. One guaranteed starter is Robert Sanchez, with Maresca confirming he will be the league goalkeeper while Filip Jorgensen plays in the cups.
The new Blues boss made several changes for the Europa Conference League qualifier against Servette and there are likely to be a number of changes again for the clash at Molineux.
After making a positive impact as a substitute against the champions, Pedro Neto could face the club he left in the summer.
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