Chelsea fixtures: Next six games after narrow Wolves defeat
By Euan Burns
The next six games are going to give Chelsea a really good idea of two things.
Whether Frank Lampard has developed as a coach since he had his first spell in charge of the club, and whether they will get any European trips next season.
It already seems pretty clear that Chelsea are not going to be qualifying for the Champions League, unless they win the tournament itself this season - a dream that can be continued or killed within this set of fixtures.
That means they need an upturn in form to try and grab either a Europa League or Conference League place for next season. Either competition, under a new coach with the expensive players more settled, represents a great chance to win a trophy.
Here are the next six games after the Wolves clash which was Lampard's first in charge since taking over for the rest of the season.
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Real Madrid vs Chelsea - Champions League
Talk about being eased in after losing to Wolves.
Champions League football is difficult enough but for Lampard and the players it follows another demoralising defeat. Real Madrid are well off the pace in La Liga but are a different animal in European competition - evidenced by the number of successes they've had over the last decade.
Barcelona were also swatted to one side in the recent Copa del Rey Clasico, so anything like a draw would be a huge result for the Blues.
- 12/04/2023 - Real Madrid vs Chelsea (20:00) - BT Sport
Chelsea vs Brighton - Premier League
There are some seriously tough Premier League games coming up for Chelsea over the next few weeks, the first of which is against a Brighton side who ran riot at the Amex Stadium earlier in the season.
Four goals were smashed past Graham Potter's hapless Chelsea, and this reverse fixture will again have added bite with the Seagulls still making serene progress under Roberto De Zerbi. Could be a must-watch game.
- 15/04/2023 - Chelsea vs Brighton (15:00)
Chelsea vs Real Madrid - Champions League
Leg number two of the Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid takes place the following Tuesday, with Chelsea definitely hoping they are still in the tie.
One thing they can do is call on the positive memories of Thomas Tuchel masterminding a two-legged win in the 2021 edition of the competition, when Chelsea went on to beat Manchester City in the final.
- 18/04/2023 - Chelsea vs Real Madrid (20:00) - BT Sport
Chelsea vs Brentford - Premier League
Brentford, like Brighton, are playing well above their station this season, and any win at Stamford Bridge will need to be well earned.
The Blues have scored just 29 Premier League goals at the time of writing, and were unable to find a way through the Bees defence in the reverse fixture. Thomas Frank's side are also higher in the table and would love nothing more than to pick up a west London derby win on Chelsea's patch.
- 26/04/2023 - Chelsea vs Brentford (19:45) - BT Sport
Arsenal vs Chelsea - Premier League
In years gone by, Arsenal have been the team in freefall watching on as Chelsea have challenged for major honours. The tables have now turned, and Mikel Arteta's side could be closing in on a first Premier League title in 19 years when they host the Blues at the Emirates.
Arsenal will be fresh, as they are already out of the Europa League, and will nothing more than to inflict more misery on Chelsea en route to strengthening their grip on top spot.
- 29/04/2023 - Arsenal vs Chelsea (16:30) - Sky Sports
Bournemouth vs Chelsea - Premier League
Even a clash against Bournemouth, who have the worst defensive record in the Premier League, is no gimme for Chelsea.
The Blues did, however, win their Stamford Bridge clash in December 2-0, and will head to the south coast hoping to have picked up some huge results in the games already discussed.
- 06/05/2023 - Bournemouth vs Chelsea (15:00)
- 12/04/2023 - Real Madrid vs Chelsea (20:00) - BT Sport
- 15/04/2023 - Chelsea vs Brighton (15:00)
- 18/04/2023 - Chelsea vs Real Madrid (20:00) - BT Sport
- 26/04/2023 - Chelsea vs Brentford (19:45) - BT Sport
- 29/04/2023 - Arsenal vs Chelsea (16:30) - Sky Sports
- 06/05/2023 - Bournemouth vs Chelsea (15:00)