Chelsea vs Wolves Prediction: Jackson can end goalscoring Blues

Chelsea's slump in form has not only hit their Premier League title ambitions but their hopes of a top-six finish have also come under threat and they need to get back to winning ways to reignite their charge. They host Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge on Monday (20:00, Sky Sports Main Event).

After a dismal start, a four-match losing run cost Gary O'Neil his job at Molineux and Wolves felt the immediate impact of a new manager bounce when Vitor Pereira secured wins to nil in his opening two games. Although a 2-2 draw at Tottenham is far from a disgrace, Wolves have since suffered back-to-back 3-0 defeats in their last two games in the Premier League to pile the pressure back on as they are above Ipswich in 18th only on goals scored. 

Football Odds

Team News

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca will be sweating on news regarding Cole Palmer with the Blues' top goalscorer a doubt after picking up a knock against Bournemouth, while Levi Colwill, Enzo Maresca and Romeo Lavia also struggling. 

Benoit Badiashile and Wesley Fofana have been ruled out, although Trevoh Chalobah is an option after being recalled from his loan spell at Crystal Palace. 

Pereira has concerns about his own top goalscorer as Matheus Cunha has been struggling with illness, while Sasa Kalajdzic and Yerson Mosquera are long-term absentees for Wolves. 

Toti Gomes and Boubacar Traore are closing on a return but Monday may come too soon, however, Mario Lemina is available for selection after apologising for asking to miss the midweek defeat at Newcastle. 

Chelsea vs Wolves Odds

Chelsea may be in a poor run of form but they are strong favourites at 4/11 to return to winning ways with the benefit of home advantage. The draw is available at 5/1, while Wolves are on offer at 13/2 to pick up what could be a massive three points. 

Goals are expected with over 3.5 priced at 10/11, while both teams to score is 4/7 and at least one clean sheet is on offer at 11/8.

Chelsea to win and both teams to score @ 11/8

Chelsea have slipped to fifth in the standings on the back of five league games without a win, but they have the perfect opportunity to pick up the winning thread once again when they entertain Wolves on Monday night. 

Pereira's men are down in 17th place in the standings, with their recent back-to-back 3-0 losses denting their goal difference to the extent that they are only above Ipswich on goals scored. 

No team has a worse defensive record than Wolves, who have won just twice on the road this season, and Chelsea can make home advantage count. 

The Blues did of course enjoy an emphatic 6-2 win at Molineux earlier in the season and they can take advantage of Wolves' defensive vulnerability even if the visitors can make a game of it. 

Chelsea have been far from watertight themselves with just two clean sheets in their last 16 games in the league and with defensive injury issues, Wolves can at least get on the scoresheet in what may be a losing cause.

Nicolas Jackson first goalscorer @ 9/2

It is fair to say that Nicolas Jackson is due a goal with his goal drought coinciding with Chelsea's five-game winless run, which has seen their European hopes take a hit. 

However, there have been much more positive signs in the last couple of matches with the Senegalese striker letting off four shots in the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace before firing in seven in the midweek draw with Bournemouth, three of which hit the target. 

There seems little doubt that Wolves' porous defence will offer up more chances for Jackson on Monday night and he looks like value at 11/10 to find the back of the net. 

However, with seven of his nine Premier League goals being the first of the game, including his strike in the 6-2 win over Wolves at Molineux, 9/2 on him breaking the deadlock is worthy of consideration. 

Offers

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