Top-four hopefuls Chelsea host giant-killers Wolves

Chelsea host Wolves at Stamford Bridge on Sunday as the Blues look to capatalise on Tottenham dropping points against Southampton as well as knowing at least one of Arsenal and Manchester United will drop points in their clash on Sunday afternoon.

Only one place separates the two sides, Chelsea in sixth and Wolves in seventh. Despite the small gap in places, Wolves remain 13 points off the west London team as they lead the ‘best of the rest’ chase for a Europa League spot.

Maurizio Sarri’s men are looking for three successive wins whilst Nuno Espírito Santo’s Wolves look for a second win on the bounce after last weekend’s win after Cardiff.

Sarri’s men have faced plenty of fixtures recently and is aware that despite Chelsea’s current good form, results can change quickly:

“In five matches we conceded only one goal. Now we are improving in consistency, we are improving in defensive solidity, but we have to be careful. In the past we had a long period of results, and then suddenly two weeks of disaster. So we have to be careful.

Maintaining levels of consistency in mind and body has been made harder by the frequency with which we have been in action this season. Tomorrow’s game is our ninth in 28 days.”

Chelsea’s Italian boss has no injury concerns with a full squad to choose from. His Portuguese counterpart has centre-back Ryan Bennett (suspended), while Rui Patricio (rested) will replace John Ruddy in goal for the away side.

Should Wolves pull off the victory at Stamford Bridge, the newly promoted side would become the first promoted team to do the Premier League double over Chelsea since Charlton Athletic in 2000/01.

Nuno Espírito Santo was keen to explain the tough test that his team faces at Stamford Bridge:

“We don’t look at the table, we have to compete on Sunday, the best way we can against a very tough team, with very good players and a very good manager. It’s a tough stadium to go to.

“We have to know that going there, we have to be ready to compete. It’s a big thing for us; to be truly ready to compete.”

They are however making a name around the league as the team for the top six to avoid, earning themselves nine points against the current top six sides, more than any of the other 13 Premier League sides this season. In addition to this, they have avoided defeat away at Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.

Sarri’s side have won their last four home fixtures against Wolves but did lose 2-1 in the reverse fixture at Molineux in December.

Chelsea have only lost once in 53 meetings with newly promoted sides but they face a stern task against one of the most impressive newly-promoted sides in recent memory.

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