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Michael Owen predicts Wolves v Chelsea

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Michael Owen has predicted that Wolves will beat Chelsea when the two sides meet at Molineux on Saturday.

Writing in his regular column for BetVictor, Owen said that despite Wolves suffering a slow start to the season that’s seen them slump to 17th in the league, they would beat Frank Lampard’s Chelsea and leapfrog them in the table.

“Both sides are in European action next week,” Owen said, “but this is a vital league game with Chelsea already seven points off the top having thrown away two points at home to Sheffield United last time.

“Wolves played their part in a five-goal thriller at Goodison Park in their last match, but they returned home empty-handed and are yet to win a league game this term for all their successes in the Europa League.

“That said, I take the hosts to keep the points in another entertaining clash.”

TiF Verdict

This is a big game for two teams who are both underperforming this season.

After a brilliant 18/19 season, Wolves seem to be struggling with their exertions in the Europa League. Nuno’s men have already played six Europa League qualifiers to get into the group stages, and they play Braga on Thursday. The pay-off for that is no wins from their first four league games and Wolves sit just above the bottom three at the moment.

Chelsea have only won one of their first four games with Lampard in charge and while he’s seen some successes, such as the emergence of Mason Mount as a first-team player and England star, the results haven’t been good. They’re already seven points off the top of the league and a top-four spot is surely the best that Lampard can hope for this season.

Wolves had the best of it last season, with a win and a draw against Chelsea in the Premier League, but Lampard’s side won the previous four games between the two sides.

It’s likely to be a close game that could easily end in a score draw.

Key battle – Jimenez v Zouma

Jimenez has had a fast start to the season, with 0.77 goals every 90 minutes and an xG of 0.61, according to stats site WyScout. He’s taken close to three shots every 90 minutes and will be the main threat for Wolves on Saturday.

Zouma scored an own goal in the last game against Sheffield United and suffered some horrific abuse after the game. He’ll be determined to prove a point on the pitch. If he can keep Jimenez quiet then Chelsea have a real chance of getting a result.

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