On Wednesday, October 29, the Molineux Stadium will host the EFL Carabao Cup Wolves vs Chelsea fixture.
Chelsea, who are in ninth place in the Premier League following a disappointing defeat to Sunderland, will be looking to revive themselves against bottom-of-the-table Wolverhampton Wanderers. However, the hosts will be looking to prove themselves outside of the Premier League, and may not just hand Enzo Maresca’s Blues a win.
Match Details
Molineux Stadium
Wolverhampton, England
Wednesday, October 29
19:45 BST
Cole Palmer’s Absence
Cheslea’s Cole Palmer has been out with a groin injury since the 2-1 Premier League defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford back on September 20. His absence is very evident, especially given other injuries in midfield and attack.
Since Palmer’s leave began, Enzo Fernandez has been occasionally deployed in Palmer’s position, the No. 10. However, the Argentine is not suited for that role, resulting in a less brutal attacking unit, and in him being unable to play at his best.
With Liam Delap also out with injury, and Nicolas Jackson on loan to Bayern Munich, Chelsea have been further weakened in attack, especially compounded by Palmer’s groin injury.
However, the recent return of Marc Guiu from injury means that Enzo Maresca now has Guiu, Joao Pedro and Tyrique George at his disposal out front. Guiu is only 19, though, and has only just begun being accommodated into the Chelsea starting 11 more regularly.
And with Estevao Willian also not yet a regular starter, the link-up play that Palmer – and even Estevao – can bring as a No. 10 is missing, further limiting Chelsea’s attack.
Given that the hosts are a significantly weaker side, though, Maresca may trust Estevao to start in the No. 10 position in the Wolves vs Chelsea game.
Chelsea’s Centre-Back Disaster
Levi Colwill’s last appearance came in the 2025 Club World Cup final, where Chelsea beat 2025 UEFA Champions League winners PSG. On the road to the final, and during the final, the centre-back was one of Chelsea’s most influential players, leading Maresca’s central defence with brute force and style.
However, the England international has since been down with an ACL injury, which will see him miss out on most of the season.
Maresca’s other centre-back options include Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo and Josh Acheampong. Fofana and Badiashile are injury-prone, Chalobah and Adarabioyo are error-prone, while Acheampong is only just 19 years old.
In a season where Chelsea’s attack and midfield have improved, their central defence has looked weak without Levi Colwill. And just as his absence was deeply felt in the recent Chelsea vs Sunderland 2-1 defeat, it is likely to be felt in the Wolves vs Chelsea Carabao Cup fixture, despite Vitor Pereira’s side being weaker.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Liverpool vs Crystal Palace: Three Key Factors To Consider, Predicted Lineups, Injuries
League Form
The Wolves vs Chelsea game features two Premier League sides enduring very different seasons.
Chelsea are enjoying a return to the Champions League since 2023, but are inconsistent in the Premier League. Chelsea’s 2025/26 Premier League season has seen them win four games and draw two, with their matches against Sunderland, Brighton and Manchester United being their only domestic losses.
Wolves, meanwhile, are sitting at the bottom of the Premier League table, having gone winless all season. With seven losses and two draws in the league, Vitor Pereira’s men will be looking to prove themselves in the Wolves vs Chelsea fixture, aiming to revive some form outside of the league, at the very least.
Wolves vs Chelsea Injuries
Wolves injuries: Leon Chiwome,
Chelsea injuries: Cole Palmer, Benoit Badiashile, Levi Colwill, Dario Essugo, Liam Delap (doubtful)
Wolves vs Chelsea Predicted Lineups
Both Enzo Maresca and Vítor Pereira have something to prove in this fourth-round EFL Cup fixture. Here we look at the Wolves vs Chelsea predicted lineups:
Wolves predicted XI: Sam Johnstone, Ki-Jana Hoever, Santiago Bueno, Ladislav Krejci, Hugo Bueno, Marshall Munetsi, Rodrigo Gomes, Andre, Jhon Arias, Jorgen Strand Larsen, Hee-Chan Hwang
Chelsea predicted XI: Filip Jorgensen, Malo Gusto, Trevoh Chalobah, Josh Acheampong, Jorrel Hato, Romeo Lavia, Andrey Santos, Jamie Gittens, Estevao, Alejandro Garnacho, Tyrique George
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Sportimage
Recording Date: 25.10.2025