Daniel Podence starts for Wolves having been charged by the Football Association with spitting at Brennan Johnson during Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest.
Wolves will contest the charge and Lopetegui is confident of Podence’s innocence.
“Daniel Podence never, ever, spat at someone. That’s 100 per cent,” he said.
“The club are working on it but Daniel never, ever, spat at anyone.”
Diego Costa starts for Wolves against his former club as one of three changes from their ill-tempered 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest.
Daniel Podence and Joao Gomes also come into the starting line-up as Adama Traore and Joao Moutinho drop to the bench.
Ruben Neves is suspended after collecting 10 yellow cards.
Wolves team news – Three changes
Wolves: Sa, Lemina, Podence, Cunha, Dawson, Semedo, Kilman, Toti, Nunes, Costa, Gomes.
Subs: Bentley, Collins, Neto, Hee-Chan, Garcia, Moutinho, Traore, Hodge, Bueno.
Chelsea team news – Sterling, Gallagher start
Chelsea: Kepa, Fernandez, Kovacic, Felix, Sterling, Gallagher, James, Koulibaly, Havertz, Cucurella, Fofana.
Subs: Mendy, Badiashile, Aubameyang, Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek, Chalobah, Mudryk, Zakaria, Chilwell.