Will Chelsea rattle in another five against Wolves?
Statistically, financially and logically this is a banker home win, as league leaders Chelsea are at home to second bottom Wolves.
Chelsea have had six straight home wins, scoring sixteen and conceding just one goal - there is an air of confidence about the title favourites right now. But the international break has weakened Chelsea somewhat; Lampard and Ballack are definitely out with Terry and Drogba real doubts - four of the key Chelsea players. Added to this Manchester United stifled Chelsea last time out by denying the full-backs the chance to push forward which made the diamond look very narrow. Not many teams are good enough to get away with that against Chelsea though. Chelsea rattled in five last time they were at home to Wolves in the league - something similar is expected again.
Wolves are struggling to score enough goals, but will be tempted by the Chelsea absentees to attack the game - regardless of Mick McCarthy's comment:
"I don't know if Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack or Didier Drogba are fit and until I actually see their teamsheet at 2pm on Saturday, I won't take any notice."
There seems to be little point in trying to soak up pressure at Stamford Bridge and then offer nothing going forward because Chelsea will almost inevitably score. Wolves will look to score on the counter and make the maximum possible play from any set-pieces in the attacking third. There is little to be lost in this one as just about every pundit is expecting a clear Chelsea win but stranger things in football have happened than Wolves bagging a goal on the counter - holding onto a lead will be more difficult though.
Chelsea vs Wolverhampton Wanderers; Kick Off 3:00pm 21 Nov 2009
Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).
Dave Blackburn : 4 - 0
Chris Cox : TBC
Graham Enwright : 4 - 0
Sue Gardener : TBC
Chris Goodwin : 3 - 0
Paul Grech (sqf) : TBC
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 4 - 0
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : TBC
Peter Lee : TBC
Don McMahon : 2 - 0
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 3 - 0
Paul O'Meara (sqf) : 3 - 0
Dave Nash : 3 - 0
Stephen Orford (sqf) : TBC
Tony Ratton : 2 - 0
Peter Rendle : 3 - 0
Dan Taylor : 3 - 1
Andy Wakeman : 4 - 0
Isaac Williams : TBC
Mark Williams : TBC
Panel Verdict
The panel makes this a banker home win; 3-0 or 4-0.
Home: 12; Draw: 0; Away: 0; TBC: 8.
* Do we have it right, or do you know better? Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!
