Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has been warned his side must show up on Sunday.(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

Paul Merson and Chris Sutton agree on Chelsea and Wolves prediction as defensive questions asked

Chelsea news as the pair of pundits give their insight into the first Christmas Eve clash for almost 30 years

23 Dec 2023, 06:30 by Oliver Jones · football.london

There hasn't been a Premier League fixture on Christmas Eve since 1995 - until now. Almost 30 years on from Leeds United's 3-1 win over historic rivals Manchester United at Elland Road, Chelsea will travel up to Molineux on Sunday hoping for a similar result against Wolves.

Their recent purple patch has been a huge boost to Mauricio Pochettino's squad who have been largely inconsistent this season with huge results against Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester City coming alongside losses to Everton, Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth.

It's meant their current placing of 10th in the league table doesn't tell the entire story of their season, given the constant injury crisis the Argentine has had to work alongside in order to even make it as far as they already have. But their enormous win in midweek over Newcastle United to advance to the Carabao Cup semi-finals means the Blues might finally be turning a corner in this debut season with Pochettino.

They've seen two wins in a row for just the third time since his arrival but over a busy festive period where they've had to face consistently strong opponents, not many believed they'd have come out of it this unscathed. As they face Gary O'Neil's Wolves side that have won just once in their last five league matches, it's possible we could see that elusive third consecutive win but they'll need to beat the history books in order to do it.

In their last three Premier League visits to Wolves, Chelsea are winless having drawn once and lost twice since their 5-2 win back in 2019 under Frank Lampard. With all that being said, here's what the pundits think about the Blues' chances of pulling it off...

Paul Merson

Writing for SportsKeeda, Merson said: "I thought Wolves were poor last weekend against West Ham. That’s the worst they’ve looked all season.

"You never know what you’re going to get with Chelsea. It’s rather unfortunate that one of their best players, Reece James, is now sidelined for a long time again. It’s a bit of an issue at this point. He seems to rushing himself back because he clearly loves playing football.

"But with these injuries, one has to be patient. I feel for the guy, he is a very good footballer too. But he’s got to show some patience if he is to avoid these constant injury problems.

"Despite Chelsea's morale boosting performance against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup, I am going for a draw in this one as Chelsea are still suspect defensively. Merson's Prediction: Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-2 Chelsea."

Chris Sutton

Talking to BBC Sport, Sutton wrote: "Wolves lacked intensity against West Ham last week, which makes me think they will bounce back here - but it really does depend on which Chelsea team turns up.

"And I'm sorry but I still have absolutely no idea what to expect from Mauricio Pochettino's side so I am gong to sit firmly on the fence with this one. Sutton's prediction: Wolves 1-1 Chelsea."

football.london Chelsea WhatsApp channel

Want to keep up to date with the breaking and important Chelsea stories whilst on the move? Well now you can!

Click this link to follow the football.london Chelsea WhatsApp channel, where you'll be kept up to date on the latest Blues news wherever you are.

Just remember to turn on the notifications once you've followed, and you won't miss a beat!