Chelsea will hope to build upon their most positive week of the season so far when they make the trip to Wolves on Christmas Eve.
The Blues returned to winning ways in the Premier League by beating Sheffield United last weekend before a morale-boosting penalty shootout victory over Newcastle in midweek.
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Chelsea won on penalties to knock out NewcastleCredit: Getty
Mauricio Pochettino had been under pressure to reverse the club’s fortunes after just one win in five before beating the Blades.
After two quickfire victories, Chelsea now have cause to feel hopeful of receiving the gift of a top-half position this Christmas.
However, the west London outfit are winless in their last three away Premier League visits to Wolves, having drawn one and lost two.
Wolves vs Chelsea: The night before Christmas
The two teams are involved in the only Christmas Eve fixture as the Premier League discards an unwritten rule that has lasted 28 years.
This is the second-ever Premier League game to be staged on Christmas Eve, after Leeds beat Manchester United 3-1 in 1995.
Gary McAllister opened the scoring and has the unique accolade of being born on Christmas Day while also bagging goals in fixtures on both Christmas Eve and Boxing Day.
Wolves and Chelsea last played on December 24 back in 1966 – Wolves won 5-3 against Derby while Chelsea lost 2-1 to Liverpool.
Premier League organisers have always opted against Christmas Eve games due to the burden put on both the clubs and fans.
However, having already chosen this game for TV coverage, Sky pushed back the original Saturday, December 23 date a day.
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21-year-old Cole Palmer has been involved in nine Premier League goals for Chelsea this season (6 goals, 3 assists). Only three players have reached double figures for goal involvements in a single campaign for the Blues while aged 21 or under – Arjen Robben (16 in 2004-05), Christian Pulisic (13 in 2019-20), Mason Mount (12 in 2019-20) and Eden Hazard (10 in 2012-13).
Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling has been involved in six goals in his last six Premier League appearances against Wolves, scoring four and assisting two. Five of these involvements have come in four games at Molineux.
Wolves vs Chelsea: Team news
The hosts will hope to have star man Pedro Neto back involved but Jonny Otto will continue to be exiled from the first-team squad.
Jose Sa is also back fit while Nelson Semedo has recovered from illness.
Chelsea could hand Christopher Nkunku his first competitive start following his debut against Newcastle.
Enzo Fernandez however added to the club’s mounting injury issues in that game, with both captain Reece James and vice-captain Ben Chilwell sidelined.
Wesley Fofana, Marc Cucurella, Robert Sanchez and Carney Chukwuemeka are all in the treatment room as well.
Lesley Ugochukwu, Noni Madueke and Romeo Lavia have all returned to full team training ahead of the game.
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Mudryk saved Chelsea’s cup dreams on the nightCredit: Getty
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Wolves have scored in each of their last 15 Premier League home games. It’s their longest scoring streak at Molineux in the top-flight since a run of 16 between August and March in 1969-70.
Wolves are unbeaten in their last six Premier League home games (W3 D3), last having a longer run without defeat at Molineux between January and August 2019 (10).
Chelsea beat Sheffield United 2-0 at Stamford Bridge last time out – only twice so far in 2023 have they won consecutive Premier League games, doing so in March (v Leeds and Leicester) and October (v Fulham and Burnley).
Wolves vs Chelsea: What has been said?
Mauricio Pochettino has revealed the Blue’s Christmas Eve will see him miss his anniversary with his wife.
Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s 2-0 defeat to Brentford, he said: “The fans are not happy? Me either.
“I am unhappy also because December 23 is my anniversary with my wife and I need to travel to Wolves.
“I’m not going to spend the night of the 23rd in my house and the 24 December, for an Argentine, it’s a really important night.
“I hope to arrive on time to celebrate. But yes, our fans are not happy, I am not happy also.”
Pochettino was then jokingly asked if he has told his wife yet and replying with a smirk, he said: “I believe I’m not going to convince her to come! It’s going to be my 31st anniversary.”
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Pochettino alleviated the mounting pressure following Chelsea’s win over NewcastleCredit: Getty
Chelsea have lost their last three Premier League away games, their second run of three straight defeats in their last 10 on the road. The Blues last lost more consecutively between October and December 2000 under Claudio Ranieri (5).
Coming into this round of matches, only Mohamed Salah (8) has scored more Premier League home goals than Wolves’ Hwang Hee-Chan so far this season (6).
Wolves vs Chelsea: How to follow
This Premier League clash will take place on Sunday, December 24.
Kick-off at Molineux is scheduled for 1pm.
The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.
talkSPORT will also have live updates throughout the evening, while talkSPORT.com will have the best of the reaction as well.
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Hwang has been a force at Molineux this seasonCredit: Getty
Since a 5-2 win at Molineux in September 2019, Chelsea are winless in their last three away Premier League visits to Wolves (D1 L2). All four of their away wins at Wolves have been under different managers (Ranieri, Ancelotti, Villas-Boas and Lampard).
Wolves won 1-0 in their last Premier League meeting against Chelsea in April – they haven’t won consecutive top-flight games against them since a run of three between 1973 and 1975.
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