I do my share of distance running and it’s not uncommon to see people limping over the finish line.
Wolves currently resemble the same frail old man you seem to encounter at all these events, straining every sinew just to complete the race.
We made Brighton look like prime Mo Farah last weekend in what has to be the biggest surrender in recent times.
There have been a few whippings – Burnley, West Ham and Liverpool last season come to mind – but none where the team looked quite so disjointed.
Conjuring a result at Stamford Bridge would be a timely tonic, but turning it around after last Saturday feels like a marathon task.
Chelsea
The Blues are also crawling to the line. Like Wolves they’ve been wedged in the table for ages and now need a few more points to ensure they at least hold their ground.
Arsenal are just three points back, albeit with a far inferior goal difference, but there’s work still to be done in the final four games if they’re to secure third place. They do at least have an FA Cup final to look forward to, even if it is against Liverpool.
One win in four for Thomas Tuchel’s side and defeat to lowly Everton last weekend has compounded a miserable period for the Londoners after losing in the Champions League and seeing their long-time benefactor make an acrimonious exit.
It seems like another billionaire will be riding to the rescue, but they may have to be more self-sufficient moving forward.
Their home form is surprisingly spotty with just 8 wins from 16 matches but it should be noted two of the three defeats came at the hands of Man City and Arsenal.
Both N’Golo Kante and Jorginho have had injury problems in recent weeks and could be doubts ahead of tomorrow’s game.
Wolves
It was great to have Ruben back against Brighton and a relief to know his withdrawal at half-time was pre-planned. We’ll need him to do a longer stint tomorrow.
Personally, I’d look to plug that midfield and give ourselves a solid foundation to ensure we avoid the sort of collapse we saw last time.
I wouldn’t be against bringing Toti or Mosquera into that back three to give us some energy, but it would be a big ask for them in a tough fixture.
We haven’t heard anything about Semedo yet, but I assume he’s out for the season. That looked a nasty one and can’t imagine he’ll return this month.
Trincao has been frozen out lately, suggesting he’s one his way back to Barcelona, but he’s looked decent combining with Jonny at times so might be worth one last go. Ultimately, that front line needs a complete re-imagining over the summer.
Last time out
We’re unbeaten in our last three against Chelsea after the stalemate at Molineux in December. Podence had a goal ruled out for a marginal offside and Sa made a good save late-on to deny Pulisic in what was a largely forgettable game.
It was another shutout in this fixture last season as Wolves dug in to deny Tuchel a win in his first game in charge. We’d beaten them 2-1 at Molineux earlier in the campaign thanks to Pedro Neto’s brilliant late winner.
Predictions
Only two people thought Brighton would score three and both of them were 4-3 home win predictions, so no maximum scores in the Predicton League last time out.
Brompton Wolf remains clear at the top of the overall table at the end of Gameweek 34.
As always, if you’d like to join in, it’s simple – just leave your prediction in the comment section below using the boxes provided. Then repeat for every preview article throughout the season, making sure you always use the same email address to make your prediction. Your email is what ties you to your overall score.
You can read my prediction for the game in the comment section below.
Up The Wolves!
A note from Dougie about an end of season Bloggers catch-up: I noticed that some bloggers have enquired about a bloggers bash ahead of the Norwich match. A few of us have a booking for early evening on Saturday 14 May at Rocco Restaurant in Darlington Street. I’m happy for people to contact me via email if they’d like to join us (singhdougie@btinternet.com).
Chelsea lost 1-4 at home to Brentford, Thomas! And they drew with Liverpool. Agree with the rest of the article. Come on you wolves!
Good spot mate. I went off memory rather than actually checking and must have confused their game against Liverpool with last season. I’ve edited accordingly.
No worries, keep up the good work. Love the content even though I rarely engage.
‘Just a bus stop in Brentford ‘
And the liquidator is ours!
Up the Wolves
Just turn up please and show us why we are 8th
Going for a ‘ cloive’
Surely we can not play any worse than last week 2-1 to the Wolves.
I can’t see Wolves getting anything here but a more more worthy performance with due respect for the shirt, club and supporters would be nice. The defence has to be more solid and the midfield more creative. Therefore I would like to see Cundle in an advanced midfield role alongside Ruben and Moutinho and Chiquinho given a start next to Silva or Raul. Neto to replace him at some point. Marcel on the left and Jonny on the right. The back three I’d keep the same but they need to be told to keep it solid, simple and try passing the ball forwards to one of their team mates! Keep it tight and fight to grind out a result would be a vast improvement on the Brighton horror show. No Dendoncker and no Trincao at any stage.
Good post and I agree on all points. The team is full of experienced players all with International caps or recognition at that level – so why the lack of cohesion and nous? Bruno needs to motivate them or bring in more U23s – I watched them live and was seriously impressed by the speed of passing and movement. I would promote Cundle into the starting eleven for the remaining 4 games. He scored twice in the week. Lembikisa worth a place on the bench too but Mosquera is miles away from a first team return. Hope we press high and don’t sit deep but in view of our lack of pace at the back can’t see Bruno doing this unless Toti comes in for Boly. We should look to next season now. Still hoping to sneak it.
I was also impressed with Cundle’s movement on Wednesday and think he could play in a similar position in the first team. Likewise, it might be worth trying out Lembikisa and Bueno. We have nothing (much) to lose.
Yep, I like your score cast James. Both teams well below their best!
Wolves are 10/1 to beat Chelski.
Even if they are c**p in a two horse race thems are good odds.
I snapped up Wolves at 9/1 the win and 20/1 with BTTS.
I for one cannot wait for the season to end something I would not have said 4 weeks ago when we looked like securing a European spot.
It’s clear even to a blind man Bruno needs to be backed in the summer otherwise what was the point in bringing him in he has done a good job with these players and it seems some of them are not on board with his ideas which means they have to go.
Those first three games Bruno tried to play the way he wanted to play but he soon realised he didn’t have the players who could do that. Recruitment has been shocking and half hearted and that needs addressing and those responsible need to go Scott Sellears has come from the Acadamy under 18 coach to Director of football and recruitment but how he and Jeff can justify that jump is beyond me.
Questions remain that need answering from the top Jeff needs to communicate better with the fans and come clean on Fosuns short term and long term plans on and off the pitch. Jeff bangs on about being self sustaining yet 10,000 plus fans have been waiting 4 years to get into see a game the ground needs up grading and soon.
We have been drifting the last two seasons it’s time to either take hold and push on or may be look outside and pass on the mantle to someone who is willing and able to breath new life and ambition into the club.
Not confident. Just hope we show a bit more fight and better defensive structure. Anything we can scrounge going forward would be a bonus.
Even a draw would lift moral at the moment. Lets take it to the Bridge, put the flip flops in the locker and secure that coveted 8th spot. Anything could happen and probably will. Games without frontiers.
1 lv & COYW.
It’s all my fault. Since I decided my lack of faith in us scoring was the reason for my poor performance in the Prediction League this season, and started to predict us to score – we haven’t. Not once !! Sorry.
The players look like they are already on the beach. They’ve settled for 8th and are just going through the motions. Perhaps not surprising when we have the top three to play in our four remaining games.
The only ray of hope is that Chelsea look they are on the next beach along from our lot. But with Arsenal now breathing down their necks and us looking like we are there for the taking, they might just turn up for this one.
Anyway, I apologize to you all once again. I offer you this prediction in the hope that I have, again, got it so very wrong.
I agree with you woky
It’s all your fault
Utw
We have become the team that everyone wants to play all of a sudden.
This looks like their chance to get back on track with three nice easy points.
So it has to be a little bet on the boys @10-1 for the away win surely!
Come on you wolves
Losing 7 of the last 10 games is just about relegation form, and upcoming fixtures don’t help!
Of all the games every year this is the one that I hate to lose. My brother is an ardent Chelsea fan and we take bragging rights seriously. And he can’t wait for Chelsea’s inevitable win to let me know all about it!
But I am not giving up so easily. They will have to fight to win this one! I hope! There is no confidence at the moment in a fighting Wolves performance. Look Wolves, just draw this game by hook or by crook, and I will be over the moon!
With apologies for repeating what I said in the Brighton result thread, here is the Wolves squad from the last time I saw us at Stamford Bridge in March 2019. The pandemic then intervened. In my heart of hearts I think we have a shadow of that squad from two years ago: Then Raul gave us the lead but Hazard snatched the draw in injury time. This time out I’ve put money on a win at 9/1 and 20/1 with BTTS, as the odds are crazy for a two-horse race. OK, we might be 3/1 against in reality. I expect us to lose, maybe 2-0. I hope it’s not a lot worse.
Patricio
Doc
Neves
Raul
Boly
Coady
Jota
Jonny
Saiss
Moutinho
Donk.
On the bench:
Ruddy
Cavaleira
Helder Costa
MGW
Vinagre
Traore
I’m going tomorrow.
I’m not
8 of those 11 are still regular starters, Sa is an upgrade i think most of us would agree so that leaves Jota and Doc. Doc was on fire before he got injured at Villa, he has thrived under Conte. Jota has been a revelation at Liverpool. Those 2 would definately make a difference but i doubt their absence would make us a shadow of our former selves. Personally I think we had a better manager and fresh blood needed as we’ve possibly stagnated.
Here’s the Stamford Bridge pre-match briefing on Wolves: There’s hope!
Wanderers have lost their last three Premier League games without finding the net against Brighton, Burnley and Newcastle. They have not lost four consecutive league games in the top flight without scoring since April 1970.
Wolves have the fourth best defensive record this term conceding 32 goals in 34 matches behind Man City (21), Liverpool (22) and Chelsea (29).
Only Burnley, Watford and Norwich have scored fewer goals than Wolves this season (33).Only Norwich (19) have failed to score in more different Premier League games than Wolves this season (16).
With four games to go, Wolves are eighth with 49 points. With a game in hand, they are three points off seventh place that should qualify them for a place in the Europa Conference League. Their highest finish in the Premier League is seventh twice
in 2018/19 and 2019/20. Twenty-two of Wolves’ Premier League games this
season have been settled by a margin of just one goal (11 wins, 11 defeats).
Wolves have lost 15 of the 16 games they have been behind in the Premier League this term. Bruno Lage’s side have a better away record than at home. They have won 26 points from their 17 games on the road. Raul Jimenez has conceded the most fouls (41) as well as being the most fouled (43) for Wolves in the Premier League this season
Still holding out hope for us to do something special – and score a goal – or maybe even win a game!!!
Fizzling out is not what l want this season to end on so cone on lads and do something to earn your wages for.
Terry Venables is something of a Chelsea legend. But what people don’t realise is the fact he has a pet Aardvark called Wayne. This is significant because with the score at 0-0 and both teams sort of ‘on the beach’ Wayne, who has escaped from Terry Venables garden will suddenly burrow up from below the pitch just by the penalty spot in the Chelsea goalmouth. This development serves to divert a back pass from a Chelsea defender past the hapless keeper in to the empty net. Thus Chelsea 0 WWFC 1 after 73 minutes. A VAR review attempts to rule it out but the wankers in Stockley Park can’t find anything in the rules under ‘What do you do if an Aardvark burrows burrows up in to the penalty area and it results in a goal?’. So reluctantly allow the goal. They do advise the referee to send the Aardvark off. Despite late pressure WWFC hold out and claim all 3 points. After the game Thomas Tuchel said ” I am furious. How can a goal stand when an Aardvark enters the field of play? Next game I am going to have a Peregrine Falcon attack the opposition goalie. See how they like it. Bastards”. Bruno said ” i remember once when I was walking through a park in Lisbon and a stray greyhound suddenly ran in front and tripped me up. Shit happens man”. CHELSEA 0 WWFC 1.
Proper course of action is to credit the Aardvark with an assist, as long as it wasn’t hand ball.
Yes. I agree.
When Andy grey interviewed said aardvark after the game, he looked a tad forlorn,
What’s with the long face , said Andy !
We can be embarrassed by teams like Brighton and then win in London against Chelsea ..although
Prob a draw in hindsight ..
I even think we are going to get a result against Man City and Liverpool..that’s Wolves
Bet we don’t though
And you’re normally so optimistic Brompto’.
Great prediction mate.
We are so poor at the moment and I don’t really see things improving tomorrow. Agree with filling midfield and maybe starting Mosquera at the back. No easy match but it may give us an idea as to what he has to offer.
I don’t know what to say really. Any point we get between now and the end of the season will be grateful. All the games left are tough and I’m including the Norwich game too…
I’m bored with this season now I want to be on a beach too..
Can see no reason for optimism.
Don’t mind who we start as long as they run hard tackle hard and pass to the right color shirt
Hard to imagine a Win tho
OODCL. Eventually
Who’d a thunk it, eh?
Last four games of the season, and we have a hand in deciding both champions and relegations, well, that’s been decided for a long time, but still we can help them get relegated in style!
Chelsea gonna get caught by the arseholes, as we’re taking all three points tomorrow, City will expect a Molineux romp, after stuffing Newcastle on Sunday, but our minds will go back to December two years ago, and the same result will occur.
Norwich will be suitably despatched, and then Liverfool will be put to the sword, on their own dungheap, after poncing out, expecting us to roll over and play nice and give them the two points they will need to win the title.
So, to Stamford Bridge.
Easy win, and if we aspire to Europe this season or next, these mid table teams are the ones we need to beat regularly.
With the future of Chelsea uncertain, a lot of their players will be playing for their futures, and try too hard, make mistakes, and so we shall be victorious.
Plus our superior skills!
And the Liquidator IS ours.
Just think Clive, one day we will actually see a 5-1
Won’t we
?
Another point ? I hope Bwuno really Has got covid…
Just putting it out there
I think the stat that says we lose 15/16 when we go a goal behind is an important factor, as the team seem to get that ” oh shit, here we go ” feeling. I agree with the author abt needing to pack midfield in this and other tough games – and go for it against the (supposedly) weaker sides.
I would like to see Neto up front with Raul. He was one of the few players that could hold his head high last week. As for the U23 players, ther is a lot of good players in there with a bright future. Cundle, Bueno, Campbell and Lembikisa certainly impressed me and even young Roberts in the U18 has a lot to offer.
Unfortunately, prediction means what I think will happen, not what I hope will happen. And if we go one down in the first half, I can see a 4-0 drubbing. Shame, cause I have Sa and Cody in my Fantasy League and that result would not help one iota !!
It’s not over ’til the fat lady sings so let’s not give up all hope. How we still have an opportunity beggars belief, but there we still are.
No Bruno will make some difference and, as the strangely selected team, in my view, from last week did nothing to show that the manager had lost them, I shall be really interested to see if they are still on the beach.
His public castigations of his young players and team at times are just wrong to my mind, but, blimey, they need a rocket in the privacy of the changing room!
I’ve thought he did well, considering the lack of new blood which is necessary regularly in our league being provided by our owners. But my doubts are growing to be honest.
Fosun don’t seem quite so up for the project over the past couple of years for whatever reasons. Do they think the political situation gives cause for concern? I don’t know, but the stadium development and squad improvement have been put on the backburner as far as I can see. They still invest and it’s their money to do with as they wish and I’m really grateful for what they have done for us over the past years, but the niggling thoughts still creep in.
Like one or two others, I hope we can have a little more faith in trying out the youngsters rather than putting square pegs into round holes as in the last few games, especially on the wide right. If you want to really unbalance a team then we have had a masterclass over the past few games and let’s start Neto and take him off if and as necessary. He, by far had the best attitude when he was allowed to come on.
We may struggle with this game and, if the attitude is not bang on, then we could be mullered , so I’ll go for a 2-1 win..
had not lost them. Feeling woozy after my booster…
Wholesale changes a must for this game after the shitshow last week.
Silva’s withdrawal in the Brighton game didn’t make any sense to me, he was the one player who looked to have some vim and vigor in the first half. I’d like to see him back and with Jiminez and Neto but that would mean 343 and i can’t see Lage going for that, i’d like to see Toti Gomes in for Saiss, Ait Nouri was like a bad version of Traore where he slows attacks down by constantly trying to beat his man rather than just passing the ball so Chiquinho in for him, i’d also like to see Cundle involved in the likely 352 formation.
Even if Lage is brave enough to make these changes we still won’t beat Chelsea imo but at least it might make for better viewing.
Mosquera is fit too so maybe he can get involved.
My fantasy football optimism has given way to stark realities. We are looking at 10th or 11th place finish with our last remaining fixtures pretty much unwinnable barring Norwich but we still havn’t scored against them in two games this season.
Bruno not travelling due to Covid and Tony Roberts in charge. He seems to have a close relationship with the team and I am now more optimistic that we will put in a performance.
Based on last week I am not expecting anything from this game.
I just hope for a better performance – even if we lose.
Never write off the Wolves when their backs are against the wall
Unfortunately cannot see it this time
I am filled with optimism all of a sudden. Just noticed Lawro has us down to lose…….
Which normally means we win !! So i will stick with 1-0.
After a clear strategic decision to take a breather last weekend there can only be one outcome tomorrow: We will cruise it. Any other outcome is unthinkable. No arguing with that logic . Or it could be the covid talking …
I’d agree that the team we put out at Stamford Bridge in 2019 was better and the future looked more rosy than what we have now- but for me the reason is Jota and Doc have gone, plus Adama and MGW on the bench and Nuno still in charge. All of whom have been replaced with safer more average performers Wolves seem to have lost the plot and are losing the identity. Now, the U23’s have had a good season, scoring goals and have a good few talented players in the team. I would like to see some of them given a chance in the first team if not this season (although that would make sense) then next. And I don’t mean a meaningless five minutes at the end of a match. Gibbs-White also must be given a good run next season. Some of the first team players seem to be a bit too sure of their selection and don’t feel their place is under threat and the performance suffers as a result. I’d include virtually the whole team that was picked against Brighton including the captain.
Please let this season finish ASAP…
I’m hoping there is still some fight left in the team – but not the sending off variety.
I’m not overly confident but have put money on a draw.
F*ck Chelsea
I’ve been hoping that finally Bruno will choose a team that really clicks and puts in a performance as of old, but the weeks pass and it gets worse.
Given that Everton beat Chelsea I would think we could too, but it doesn’t work like that, does it.
Perhaps Chelsea are underperforming due to the uncertainty about their ownership.
Anyway, I’ll continue to live in hope.
The match will be won depending on who is the strongest, Chopper Harris or Eddie Clamp.
I’m not sure what to make of this game. Nevertheless, I’ll be there as usual.
Can’t even start to imagine what the team selection will be.
I’m not convinced about Bruno having covid either.
Let’s go for a battling draw.
Just hope the overall performance is better than last week, it couldn’t be worse, could it?. I wonder what weird combination Bruno will come up with this week. Impossible to predict a win if we cant score so fingers crossed for 0 – 0
Still no goals from Wolves. Not enough talent going forward…
Watched the u23’s. They played quick accurate passes forward. It was a pleasure to watch. Hope Bruno made the first team watch it to show them what they should be doing. Cundle Lembikisa Campbell and Bueno all looking good. Mosquera not looking ready yet.I
This is the first time this season that my optimism has disappeared and I really do not think we have a chance of winning, however I still can’t predict a loss so ..
It’s always darkest just before dawn.
KA/TN’s
Easy to mark down Wolves for 0. Just not sure how many Chelsea will score.
We will probably play much better and suffer a heartbreak late goal.
After the pathetic performance against Brighton I have grave misgivings about this one – could well be a shellacking!
For crying out loud why have we fallen apart so badly at the tail end of the season.
Hopefully there is still some fight left…..do not for gentle into that dark night, but rage, rage, RAGE against the dying of the light.
Out of darkness cometh light
The best we can hope for is that Chelsea forget to turn up. If we play like last week we will get absolutely hammered.
Cant see us scoring again this season to be honest let alone today.
Hope for a draw.
So looking forward to getting a positive result today, but sadly I fear the worst.
Hope I am wrong.
So Chelsea have found themselves a new billionaire so the cloud of having to live like the rest of us has been lifted. Just in time to play Wolves and it’s up to us to bring them back down to earth. With a bump.
The showing against Brighton was truly depressing and this can’t possibly be as bad. A heavy defeat against one of the Premier league’s moneybags clubs can, to a degree, be excused. What can’t be excused is the complete ineptitude and disinterest on display last week. So I don’t expect to see it.
Happy to see an infusion of young blood come into the team as, in reality, they don’t have to do too much to exceed the standards on display recently.
However, Chelsea ain’t no great shakes, soooo……….
Well …after a collapse of roman proportions we still by some miracle find ourselves in with a stab at the poormans euro competition .
Many including myself have doubted we even want to be in europe this theory being strengthened by a series of mind bogglingly bad performances against teams we should be beating on an average day.
Still here we are just about in the race but facing three of the best the prem has thrown up …this season.
Liverpool and city are, whether you like it or not superb football teams Chelsea are not there yet but have the quality players to turn any game their way and although Everton somehow came out on top last week through sheer desperation guts and the will to win I dont see us in any way the same mind set as they were.
The on the beach cliché is probably more true than we realise amongst pro footballers with little to play for and im quite sure i wouldnt want to spend my summer hols on the treatment table when I could be around a pool with the family and its these simple things that at this level make a huge difference .
A few could catch us and shove us down a few places but i think the only real threat to our position is Leicester and as their season is petering out can they be bothered either.
Lets hope the wolves get their act together and put up at least some sort of fight but in the back of my mind i just dont see it.
never want to predict a loss but my gold and black specs are in the draw after the last few months.
Bet that cheered you up a bit. 1 lv.
When I predict a 0-0 draw the lads prove me wrong & get the points. Surely they can’t play any worse than last week!!
With Ruben apparently signing a new contract, and Raul’s missus giving birth, surely our two icons can have a stress free close to the season, and play as we know they can?
Chelski beware!!
The obvious conclusion to this afternoon would be a mullering… but this is our DNA… shite versus a shite team and defiant against the big guns .. if you can call Chelski ‘big guns’….
New owner bounce won’t be a factor today but what will is a blood, guts and die for the shirt effort…
Please don’t pair Silva v Rudiger…
I believe the official is Stuart Atwell… so there’s one sending off at the very least ..
We can’t score but we can prevent them from scoring…
Sorry … it’s Peter Bankes…
Same outcome … as he’s card happy … (Danny Batth v BristyCity)
off to meet a big bunch of herbert’s for a few beers in the white horse at parsons green . their train got in to euston at 9 .. what a state they are going to be in
wolves to win
Wish I was with you Matt, did you enjoy the South Bank last week in my seat ?
Agree with your forecast, C O Y M W.
Good luck to those travelling, especially London-based; good to have a “local” game. Hope you see a decent performance from Wolves.
Hoping for a point so, for the first time ever, I think, that’ll be my prediction.
.
I cant see another win this season. Easy Chelsea win
Hate predicting against the lads, but the last 3 performances and rumours of dressing room bust ups give me no confidence at all.
Come on lads just show a bit of bottle.
.
I doubt they can get a result but live on hope.
We are limping towards the end of the season and with Lukaku playing today against our wobbly defence I’m expecting a bit of a battering. I’ll chuck in a consolation goal for us, but that’s it. Roll on the Summer.
Let’s go for a bore draw. At least I’ll be correct for a while.
No you won’t. You have to predict first. Lol.
Oops.
Too late
Half time. We could have been ahead had Dendonker not missed that sitter and if Ait Nouri had a better first touch. That said, luck could on our side for a change. Come on me babbies, prove me wrong in the second half.
Brilliant goal by Trincao. Come on you Wolves
PMSL. Never been so happy to be wrong. Awesome fight to the end. Well done me babbies.
We didn’t manage a ‘cloive’ but boy doesn’t it feel like it..
That’s what we needed today.
90 + 7.
Never in doubt. Sums Wolves up. Get a draw in the 97th minute v The World Club Champions at The Bridge. 50 points woohoo. Conner Coady, legend. We can see all remaining games as free hits. Chiqinuo on the ball.
What a point though. massive.
Citeh here we come.
Get well soon Bruno, you were running the lines hot. Good tactical moves. Well done.
1 lv & COYW
Brighton only scored 3 against us. Just saying ….. Man Utd fans … pmsl.