Wolves Predicted Lineup v Chelsea for February 4

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports | By Tom Murray | Last updated 2/3/24

Wolves will be looking to put things right after conceding in the last minute in their 4-3 loss to Manchester United at Molineux on February 1, and manager Gary O’Neil might look to refresh the starting eleven as they travel to Stamford Bridge. This is the predicted lineup.

Wolves Predicted Lineup vs Chelsea at Stamford Bridge

How Wolves Have Lined-up Recently

The Black Country club went into their last game, against the Red Devils, unchanged from their FA Cup victory over West Bromwich Albion, and the crowded fixture list showed on the players’ energy levels. As a rule, the manager rarely rotates, although that is partly because of strong recent form.

Matt Doherty has been a mainstay at left-back and played an important role whilst Rayan Ait-Nouri has been representing Algeria in the African Cup of Nations. With the North African returned to Molineux, Doherty’s run might be coming to an end.

Similarly, Tommy Doyle cemented his place in the centre of midfield with some imperious passing displays and a crucial goal in the FA Cup. However, against Chelsea it is possible that the manager will refresh the midfield and inject some more steel and aggression in the form of Joao Gomes, who has recently returned from a three-game suspension.

Matheus Cunha, Pedro Neto, Nelson Semedo, Mario Lemina and the back three are guaranteed starters, having played consistently when fit.

Jean-Ricner Bellegarde has started the last two matches as a false nine, but the diminutive Frenchman has struggled to impact the game in such an advanced position, faring better as a ball-carrier who receives the ball deep. It is possible that Pablo Sarabia could be back in contention after returning from a minor injury and scoring a penalty against the Manchester side earlier in the week.

Wolves Recent Form and Tactics

On the whole, it would be fair to say that the West Midlands club remains in good form. Their loss at Molineux on Thursday ended a nine-game unbeaten run in all competitions, although their away form has been patchier than at home across the span of the season.

If there is a weakness to expose, it is at central defence. Toti Gomes has bags of potential, but is young, erratic and periodically clumsy. Craig Dawson is a tremendous experienced head, but has lost a yard of pace in his twilight years, and captain Max Kilman gets caught sleeping, particularly defending crosses, far too often for a defender at this level.

The opening 30 minutes of matches has been The Wanderers’ most risky period, when they are most liable to switch off and allow forwards to get in behind them. They reliably settle before half-term and tend to spend second halves on top, but without a dedicated number nine, exciting runs by the likes to Neto and Cunha often end in cul-de-sacs as the unbalanced forward line sometimes means there’s nobody playing centrally to finish chances.

With Neto fit again, O’Neil will encourage his side to exploit wide areas and stretch the play, but against the West London side, who have the edge on paper, many of these movements will be on the counter.