Chelsea v Wolves preview

Leaders look to fend off Wolves challenge

Last updated: 20th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Chelsea v Wolves preview

Cole: Should be available

PREDICTIONS:

Skysports.com prediction: 4-0

SKY BET odds: Chelsea 1/7, Draw 6/1, Wolves 22/1

One to Watch: Joe Cole

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Chelsea will be looking to extend their Premier League lead against Wolves following the international break.

Carlo Ancelotti's side have a five-point advantage on Arsenal, who have a game in hand, and Manchester United ahead of the visit of Wolves to Stamford Bridge.

The Blues have a good record against Wolves having scored 10 league goals against them in the 2003/04 campaign, including a 5-2 win on home soil.

Wolves actually took a 2-1 lead at Stamford Bridge thanks to goals from Henri Camara and Jody Craddock before a Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink hat-trick dashed their hopes.

Mick McCarthy's side are sure to be up against it having kept only one clean sheet in the Premier League this term while also conceding four on home soil against the Gunners last time out.

Blues news

Chelsea could have a double injury boost with England internationals John Terry and Ashley Cole hopeful of being fit.

Cole has been struggling with a depressed fracture of the tibia that required a pain-killing injection to play against Manchester United before the international break.

However, Cole has been training normally this week and with the aid of a protective shinpad should be available to feature this weekend.

Terry was ruled out of England's recently friendly against Brazil with an ankle knock, but has also been training and is likely to partner Ricardo Carvalho at the back.

Ancelotti will be without star midfielder Frank Lampard who sustained a thigh injury on international duty. Joe Cole could win his second Premier League start of the season in his absence.

Didier Drogba is a out with the rib injury he picked up against the Red Devils while Michael Ballack will also be missing with an inflamed knee along with playmaker Deco.

Wolves news

Wolves are boosted by the return of right-back Kevin Foley for the trip to Stamford Bridge.

Foley has only made three appearances this season after twice suffering knee ligament problems and his return could not be better timed as defender Ronald Zubar is a major doubt after picking up a thigh strain in training this week.

Wolves are definitely without on-loan Chelsea central defender Michael Mancienne who cannot face his parent club due to conditions of his loan agreement.

Manager McCarthy could also opt to rest striker Kevin Doyle after his two games for the Republic of Ireland against France and start him on the bench.

Possible starting XIs

Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Terry, Carvalho, A Cole, J Cole, Mikel, Essien, Malouda, Anelka, Kalou.

Wolves: Hennessey, Foley, Berra, Craddock, Zubar, Edwards, Henry, Castillo, Kightly, Ebanks-Blake, Doyle.

Chelsea 1/7, Draw 6/1, Wolves 22/1