Sa back in hosts' XI while Lavia finally set for Blues debut

The Blues returned to winning ways in the Premier League by beating Sheffield United last weekend before a morale-boosting penalty shootout victory over Newcastle in midweek.

Mauricio Pochettino had been under pressure to reverse the club's fortunes after just one win in five before beating the Blades.

After two quickfire victories, Chelsea now have cause to feel hopeful of receiving the gift of a top-half position this Christmas.

However, the west London outfit are winless in their last three away Premier League visits to Wolves, having drawn one and lost two.

Premier League clash at Molineux to kick-off at 1pm

Live updates: talkSPORT website stream HERE, via the app HERE

Match to be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League

Wolves: Sa, Semedo, Dawson, Kilman, Toti, Ait-Nouri, Lemina, Gomes, Sarabia, Hwang, Cunha

Subs: Bentley, Doherty, S Bueno, H Bueno, Kalajdzic, Doyle, Barnett, Chirewa, Hesketh

Chelsea: Petrovic, Gusto, Disasi, Thiago Silva, Colwill, Ugochukwu, Gallagher, Sterling, Palmer, Jackson, Broja

Subs: Bettinelli, Bergstrom, Badiashile, Mudryk, Maatsen, Lavia, Nkunku, Matos, Madueke

FOLLOW OUR LIVE MATCH BLOG BELOW FOR REGULAR UPDATES...

a minute agoBy Jack Cunningham

Christmas Eve woe

There is a reason that we don't often have football on Christmas Eve.

Public transport often finishes early, and it's one of the few days in the year that most people are off.

But despite protests, this game was moved by the Premier League.

It's not gone down well with both Wolves and Chelsea supporters, while the top-flight have already confirmed they won't be doing this again next year.

When was last Christmas Eve game and why has it been reintroduced for Wolves vs Chelsea?

5 minutes agoBy Jack Cunningham

Wolves vs Chelsea: Team news

So, Jose Sa is back in goal for the hosts, which is a big boost for them.

But Pedro Neto hasn't made the matchday squad, which is a shame and there is no Jean-Ricner Bellegarde either.

Meanwhile, the Blues have Romeo Lavia on the bench, so he could make his debut after a big-money move from Southampton.

Christopher Nkunku isn't risked from the start either.

But there is no Enzo Fernandez or Moises Caicedo, which is a huge blow.

10 minutes agoBy Jack Cunningham

Wolves vs Chelsea

This is how we expect both sides to line-up.

15 minutes agoBy Jack Cunningham

Wolves vs Chelsea: Teams

The teams are in!

Wolves: Sa, Semedo, Dawson, Kilman, Toti, Ait-Nouri, Lemina, Gomes, Sarabia, Hwang, Cunha

Subs: Bentley, Doherty, S Bueno, H Bueno, Kalajdzic, Doyle, Barnett, Chirewa, Hesketh

Chelsea: Petrovic, Gusto, Disasi, Thiago Silva, Colwill, Ugochukwu, Gallagher, Sterling, Palmer, Jackson, Broja

Subs: Bettinelli, Bergstrom, Badiashile, Mudryk, Maatsen, Lavia, Nkunku, Matos, Madueke

24 minutes agoBy Jack Cunningham

Team news alert!

Right, just five minutes to go until we get the confirmed teams from Molineux.

27 minutes agoBy Jack Cunningham

Stage is set

Fair play to the ground staff and all of the other staff for giving up their Christmas Eve to help get this game on.

The pitch looks perfect, and hopefully, we get a great game.

30 minutes agoBy Jack Cunningham

Wolves vs Chelsea: Pre-match facts

Wolves won 1-0 in their last Premier League meeting against Chelsea in April - they haven't won consecutive top-flight games against them since a run of three between 1973 and 1975.

Since a 5-2 win at Molineux in September 2019, Chelsea are winless in their last three away Premier League visits to Wolves (D1 L2). All four of their away wins at Wolves have been under different managers (Ranieri, Ancelotti, Villas-Boas and Lampard).

This is the second ever Premier League game to be staged on Christmas Eve, after Leeds United 3-1 Manchester United in 1995. Wolves and Chelsea last played on December 24th in 1966; Wolves won 5-3 against Derby while Chelsea lost 2-1 to Liverpool.

35 minutes agoBy Jack Cunningham

Wolves vs Chelsea: Team news

The big news for the hosts is that Pedro Neto is back in training and could be involved.

The winger has been in sublime form this season but suffered a nasty hamstring injury in October and has been out since.

Plus, Jose Sa is ready to return after a slight shoulder issue.

Meanwhile, we could see Christopher Nkunku makes his first start for the Blues, while Romeo Lavia is also finally fit.

But there will be no Reece James for the foreseeable due to hamstring surgery.

He joins several other players on the long-term injury list, including Ben Chilwell and Wesley Fofana.

Enzo Fernandez is also doubtful.

41 minutes agoBy Jack Cunningham

Christmas Eve clash

Hello, and welcome to talkSPORT.com's live coverage of Wolves' Premier League clash against Chelsea.

For the first time in 28 years, we have football on Christmas Eve in a move that has gone down badly with both sets of supporters, which is understandable.

However, despite fan groups protesting the move, here we are, and let's hope it's a game worth the hassle.

Both sides are drifting around in midtable, but a win could reignite their respective campaigns, so let's get going!