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Chelsea return from their long UEFA Champions League trip to Azerbaijan to take on Wolves in Saturday's late Premier League game.
Enzo Maresca's side were held to a 2-2 draw by Qarabag on Wednesday, with Alejandro Garnacho rescuing a point with a goal off the bench after the Blues had surrendered an early lead.
The result underlined Chelsea's inconsistent form in 2025/26. A deserved 1-0 London derby win over Tottenham last weekend came after they had lost 2-1 at Stamford Bridge to promoted Sunderland in their previous league fixture, and in between those games, they beat Wolves 4-3 in a gripping Carabao Cup contest.
On paper, Maresca's team should have little trouble against a side without a win in their opening 10 league games of the season, but Wolves could be harder to predict since sacking head coach Vitor Pereira. Under-21 coach James Collins has been leading training this week, and with Pereira's replacement yet to be appointed, it will fall on Collins and Under-18 boss Richard Walker to prepare a plan for Stamford Bridge.
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Chelsea lineup today vs. Wolves: Predicted starting XI
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Sanchez (GK)
James, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella
Gusto, Caicedo
Estevao, Fernandez, Garnacho
Joao Pedro
Chelsea team news
Maresca made wholesale changes to the lineup for the draw with Qarabag and will revert to a more recognised XI to face Wolves.
One enforced change will see Romeo Lavia drop out due to a new muscle problem. His absence means Malo Gusto may move into midfield to partner the returning Moises Caicedo, with Enzo Fernandez deployed as the No. 10.
Alejandro Garnacho scored the equaliser off the bench in midweek and could be rewarded with a start on Saturday, especially with Pedro Neto recovering from a minor injury. Up front, Joao Pedro will presumably get the nod over fit-again Liam Delap.
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Chelsea injury list
Below is the latest injury picture for Chelsea, including estimated return dates for those who are sidelined.
Pedro Neto
- Injury: Undisclosed
- Expected return date: November 8, 2025
Maresca said Neto had sustained "a small issue" and was left out of the Qarabag game as a precaution. He is expected to be available for Saturday, although he may begin on the bench.
Romeo Lavia
- Injury: Thigh muscle injury
- Expected return date: December 2025
Lavia has a new muscle issue that will almost certainly see him out of action until some time after the November international break. Maresca hopes the injury is not serious, but a return in December at the earliest is the optimistic view.
Cole Palmer
- Injury: Groin injury
- Expected return date: December 2025
Maresca was forced to admit his mistake over talisman Palmer's return after he missed out on England duty earlier this month. Initial estimates over his groin problem were increased to "at least six weeks" and he will not come back into the squad until December.
Benoit Badiashile
- Injury: Muscle injury
- Expected return date: December 2025
Badiashile's injury woes continued at the start of October after the Frenchman was forced off in the win over Liverpool with another muscle strain. Maresca confirmed he will not be back in contention until December as the 24-year-old battles to prove his durability to remain part of Chelsea's long-term plans.
Dario Essugo
- Injury: Thigh injury
- Expected return date: December 2025
Essugo arrived at Chelsea carrying a thigh injury following his loan return to Sporting CP from Las Palmas.
While there has been little confirmed reporting on his return, there has been recent speculation that he might be out until December or even into early 2026.
Levi Colwill
- Injury: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear
- Expected return date: June 2026
Colwill suffered an ACL tear in preseason and will miss the full campaign. The England international is still in the early stages of his rehabilitation.
Mykhailo Mudryk
- Suspension: Doping
- Expected return date: Unknown
Ukraine international Mudryk has not been available for selection since December 2024 after failing a doping test.
Chelsea vs. Wolves match details
- Date: Saturday, November 8, 2025
- Kickoff time: 8 p.m. GMT
- Location: Stamford Bridge (London, UK)
- Competition: Premier League matchweek 11
- Referee: Andrew Kitchen
- VAR: Darren England