Wolfsburg won three of their first five UWCL League Phase games, putting them in seventh place with nine points, one fewer than fourth-placed Juventus and two fewer than unbeaten Chelsea, Wednesday's opponents.
Two of Wolfsburg's three UEFA Women's Champions League victories came at home - Paris Saint-Germain were beaten 4-0 on matchday 1, and Wolfsburg beat Manchester United 5-2 in November.
Netherlands international Ella Peddemors scored all three of her UEFA Women's Champions League goals in those two home fixtures. Will the Wolves bring the same firepower in Wednesday's meeting with English giants Chelsea?
"We played two good games," Peddemors told Flashscore during Tuesday's pre-game press conference. "What we want to take from those games are the chances we created, but I think we can take a lot of good things from them."
Wolfsburg have already secured their spot in the round of 16, but could claim a ticket for the quarterfinals with a win on Wednesday and some favourable results elsewhere. Peddemors said that all that matters now is beating Chelsea.
"We just want to get the 3 points on Wednesday, and then we will see how things are going to be in the table at the end. Hopefully, we finish as far up as possible."
Chelsea are one of the last two unbeaten teams in the UWCL, making Wednesday's clash huge for Wolfsburg. That doesn't change the team's approach, however: "We prepare as we do for every game. We prepare for this top team as we did with the last couple of games."
Dutch connections
The 23-year-old Peddemors joined two-time UEFA Women's Champions League winners Wolfsburg in the summer of 2024 from reigning Eredivisie champions FC Twente. The move was the next step in her career and earned Peddemors her senior debut for the Netherlands in October.
"When you play matches like these, it's amazing for a player. To challenge you with the highest level there is. It's really good for player development," Peddemors said about the transition to a higher level of football.
The Dutch midfielder shone in the previous UEFA Women's Champions League games in Wolfsburg. What will she take from those games to Wednesday's Chelsea clash?
"Confidence. When you're playing well and performing, it makes things easier," said Peddemors. "It's nice to have games like these and play like that."
Peddemors is one of four Dutch players at Wolfsburg, along with Caitlin Dijkstra, Janou Levels and Lineth Beerensteyn. The Dutch quarter will face compatriots Wieke Kaptein and Veerle Buurman on Wednesday, but no friendly contact has been made yet, Peddemors admitted during the press conference.
Following her leap from the Dutch Eredivisie to the German Bundesliga, Peddemors explained why having Dutch teammates around her makes big games like those against Chelsea feel good.
"For me personally, it's nice to have these teammates. I don't know if that has anything to do with the pressure, I don't feel it like that, but it's nice to have Dutch teammates and to talk in Dutch - it's nice in your own language. I'm happy that I play with them."
The UEFA Women's Champions League game between VfL Wolfsburg and Chelsea will kick off on Wednesday, December 17th, at 21.00 CET.
Watch every match of the UEFA Women's Champions League, live on Disney+ as part of existing customer subscriptions.