Chelsea have an FA Cup fixture to contend with as they look to progress in the only Cup competition they are still competing in. Without any European commitment this season, they got knocked out at the hands of West Ham United in the EFL Cup and with the League position fairly settled at this point of time, Antonio Conte can well harbour thoughts of making the final stages of the FA Cup at least.
They face a trip to Wolves in which a win will see them progress to the quarter-finals. Paul Lambert’s side are struggling for league form as they sit just six points above the championship relegation zone, but away wins at Stoke and Liverpool to reach the last 16 show Wolves have no fear of top-flight clubs this season.
But the difference in the quality and the resources boasted by the two teams is huge and one does not see too much leeway for Wolves in the match. To put things into perspective, Chelsea’s predicted XI – which could be missing the likes of £32million Diego Costa, £34m David Luiz and £32m Eden Hazard – still costs an estimated £100m. Wolves’ XI is slightly more modest at £17m – of which £13m is Helder Costa.
TRIVIA (Courtesy: Opta)
- This is the fourth FA Cup tie between Wolves and Chelsea, the last coming in 1994 when the Blues won 1-0 at Stamford Bridge.
- The other two fixtures have seen Wolves play at home, losing in 1911 but winning in 1928.
- Chelsea have won nine of their last 10 games in all competitions v Wolves (L1), keeping seven clean sheets.
- In their most recent meeting, Chelsea won 6-0 in the League Cup in 2012.
- Wolves could reach the FA Cup sixth round for the first time since 2002-03, when they were beaten 2-0 at Southampton.
- The last time they won a home match against Premier League opposition in the FA Cup was a 3-2 third-round victory over Newcastle in 2002-03.
TEAM NEWS & PREDICTED LINE-UPS
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS (4-2-3-1)
Wolves’ boss Paul Lambert could recall Andreas Weimann, who scored the winner at Anfield in the fourth round. Centre back Kortney Hause and midfielder Conor Coady, who both featured in that upset, could return.
Ikeme- Coady, Hause, Stearman, Doherty- Edwards, Price- Weimann, Saville, Costa- Dicko
CHELSEA (3-4-3)
Chelsea defender David Luiz is likely to be rested as he continues to struggle with a knee problem, with Kurt Zouma ready to deputise. Cesc Fabregas and Asmir Begovic are set to start, while Michel Batshuayi and Ruben Loftus-Cheek could feature.
Begovic; Azpilicueta, Zouma, Cahill; Pedro, Kante, Fabregas, Alonso; Willian, Hazard, Batshuayi
BETTING ODDS
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS- 8/1
DRAW- 9/2
CHELSEA- 4/11
