Mansion Sports – A thrilling contest awaits at Molineux Stadium as Wolverhampton Wanderers host Chelsea in the fourth round of the 2025/2026 Carabao Cup. The match is scheduled to kick off on Wednesday, 29 October 2025, at 19:45 local time.

This Premier League encounter is among the most anticipated fixtures of the round, not only because of the rich history shared between the two clubs but also due to both teams’ determination to rediscover form in what has been a challenging season.

For Wolverhampton Wanderers, this clash offers a vital opportunity to regain confidence in front of their home supporters, while for Chelsea, victory could be the key to restoring momentum after a surprising league defeat.

Team Conditions Ahead of the Match

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Wolverhampton Wanderers boast a proud history in the EFL Cup, having lifted the trophy twice — in 1974 and 1980. 

However, those glory days now seem distant, with the club currently enduring a difficult period in the Premier League. 

Under the management of Vitor Pereira, Wolves have collected only two points from nine league matches and currently sit at the bottom of the table.

Despite their domestic struggles, the Carabao Cup has provided a rare source of optimism. Consecutive victories over West Ham United and Everton have carried Wolves into the fourth round, demonstrating their fighting spirit in knockout competitions.

The clash against Chelsea presents an opportunity for the team to rebuild morale and restore belief among the players and supporters.

Historically, Wolves have enjoyed a fair degree of success against Chelsea in recent years, having claimed three wins in their last five meetings across all competitions.

However, the last two encounters favored the London club — a 6-2 victory at Molineux in August 2024 followed by a 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge in January 2025.

With a full house expected at Molineux, Pereira is likely to field his strongest lineup, hoping that the home atmosphere will inspire his side to deliver an assertive and energetic performance from the outset.

Chelsea

Chelsea enter this fixture in slightly better shape, though not without their own concerns. A 1-2 defeat to Sunderland in their most recent Premier League outing brought an end to their four-match winning streak in all competitions.

Nevertheless, under Enzo Maresca, the Blues have shown signs of progress as they adapt to a new tactical philosophy. 

The team currently sits ninth in the Premier League table with 14 points from nine matches — a respectable position, though still below the club’s lofty expectations.

In the Carabao Cup, Chelsea have only played once so far this season, defeating Lincoln City 2-1 in the third round. 

The trip to Molineux will serve as a key test of their squad depth ahead of a congested fixture schedule.

Historically, Chelsea’s record in this competition is impressive, having lifted the trophy five times, most recently in the 2014/2015 season when they beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 in the final.

Given their experience and deeper roster, Chelsea are the favorites on paper, though away fixtures at Molineux have rarely been straightforward.

For Maresca, this match also serves as a crucial evaluation of his rotation strategy amid injury concerns. 

With several key players unavailable, he will need to balance squad freshness with tactical discipline to maintain performance levels.

Predicted Lineups for Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Chelsea 2025

Wolverhampton Wanderers (4-3-3)

Wolves approach this fixture with a largely fit squad, with only Leon Chiwome sidelined due to a knee injury. Vitor Pereira is expected to combine experience with youthful energy in his starting lineup.

Hwang Hee-chan and Joao Gomes are likely to return to the first eleven, while Jorgen Strand Larsen, having recovered from a minor injury, is set to lead the attack.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1)

Chelsea travel to Molineux with a lengthy injury list. Mykhaylo Mudryk is suspended, while Levi Colwill, Dario Essugo, Liam Delap, Cole Palmer, and Benoit Badiashile remain sidelined. Despite these absences, Enzo Maresca still has several options for rotation.

Malo Gusto returns after serving his suspension, while young talents such as Wesley Fofana, Andrey Santos, Romeo Lavia, Jorrel Hato, Jamie Gittens, and Tyrique George are expected to feature prominently.

In attack, Alejandro Garnacho — fresh from scoring his first goal for the club — is tipped to retain his place in the starting lineup.

Match Overview

The Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Chelsea clash promises to be a tightly contested and compelling affair.

While Chelsea possess greater squad depth and experience, Wolves will be driven by the desire to redeem themselves after a disappointing start to their league campaign.

Both sides share a common goal — to build momentum and secure a place in the quarter-finals. With Molineux’s electric atmosphere setting the stage, this fixture could produce unexpected twists.

Whether Wolves can withstand Chelsea’s attacking power or the Blues affirm their dominance with a display of composure and depth will soon be revealed on the pitch.