Goal.com

 
Played
August 19, 2012 1:30 p.m. IST
The DW Stadium — Wigan
Referee:‬ M. Jones‎
Attendance:‬ 19738‎
 
 
Branislav Ivanovic 2′
 
Frank Lampard 7′ (PG)

Wigan - Chelsea Preview: Title challengers out to avoid potential banana skin early in the new season

Italian boss Roberto Di Matteo will be hoping that the club can hit the ground running after a summer of heavy investment off the pitch, with the pressure on to secure results

By James McManus

More On :  Chelsea FC, Wigan Athletic, Wigan Athletic vs Chelsea FC
Eden Hazard
Getty Images
  PROBABLE LINEUPS

WIGAN

Al-Habsi
Ramis, Caldwell, Figueroa
Boyce, McCarthy, McArthur, Beausejour
Miyaichi, Di Santo, Maloney
CHELSEA

Cech
Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Cole
Mikel, Lampard
Ramires, Mata, Hazard
Torres

Wigan go into the new campaign pleased to still have Roberto Martinez at the helm after a summer which saw him linked with moves to the vacant managerial posts at both Aston Villa and Liverpool.

After securing Japanese winger Ryo Miyaichi on a season-long loan deal from Arsenal, the club's forward line was further bolstered by the arrival of Arouna Kone from Levante mid-week as they prepare for life  after Hugo Rodallega. Victor Moses could be left out altogether with a proposed move between the two clubs still in the offing.

Like their hosts, Chelsea go into the fixtures with no fresh injury concerns, while Branislav Ivanovic will be available to play as his red card in the season's curtain-raiser against Manchester City in the Community Shield will not result in a suspension due to the non-competitive status of the game.

The club will need to check on the fitness of forward Daniel Sturridge, who has ruled out of the England squad to face Italy with a toe injury but will likely be fit to play some part, while Marko Marin has had a hamstring problem.

  DID YOU KNOW?
  • Wigan managed to score just 42 league goals last season, less than both relegated Bolton (46) and Blackburn (48).
  • Roberto Martinez's side drew this very same fixture last season 1-1, with Jordi Gomez's late strike rescuing a draw after Daniel Sturridge got the opener.
  • The club's top goalscorer in the league last season was former Chelsea striker Franco Di Santo, who scored seven times.
  • Victor Moses (pictures right) could be set to complete a move to Stamford Bridge before the transfer window closes.
  • Chelsea have spent £65m so far this sumemr on the likes of Eden Hazard, Oscar and Marko Marin.
  • The club failed to score in eight separate fixtures last season, while for Wigan it was 12.
  • Frank Lampard and Juan Mata combined scored and assisted 35 of the club's 63 league last season between them.
  • They finished the campaign with just 10 clean sheets, seven less than champions Manchester City.

Follow Goal.com on Twitter

Follow Goal.com on Facebook
Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
  • Wigan Athletic 0-3 Chelsea FC
    20.04 %
  • Wigan Athletic 1-3 Chelsea FC
    13.67 %
  • Wigan Athletic 0-2 Chelsea FC
    13.5 %
Head to Head
England - Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 9 Feb 2013 Chelsea FC 4 - Wigan Athletic 1
  • Player Ratings
  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
  • Preview
England - Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 19 Aug 2012 Wigan Athletic 0 - Chelsea FC 2
  • Player Ratings
  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
  • Preview
England - Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 7 Apr 2012 Chelsea FC 2 - Wigan Athletic 1
  • Player Ratings
  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
  • Preview
England - Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 17 Dec 2011 Wigan Athletic 1 - Chelsea FC 1
  • Player Ratings
  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
  • Preview
England - Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 9 Apr 2011 Chelsea FC 1 - Wigan Athletic 0
  • Player Ratings
  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
  • Preview
Last Five Matches
Wigan Athletic
19 May 2013Wigan Athletic 2 - Aston Villa 2EPL
14 May 2013Arsenal FC 4 - Wigan Athletic 1EPL
11 May 2013Manchester City 0 - Wigan Athletic 1FA
7 May 2013Wigan Athletic 2 - Swansea City 3EPL
4 May 2013West Bromwich Albion 2 - Wigan Athletic 3EPL
Chelsea FC
25 May 2013Manchester City 5 - Chelsea FC 3FR
24 May 2013Chelsea FC 3 - Manchester City 4FR
19 May 2013Chelsea FC 2 - Everton 1EPL
15 May 2013Benfica 1 - Chelsea FC 2EL
11 May 2013Aston Villa 1 - Chelsea FC 2EPL
Odds
Returns: Wigan £1260.00 Bet365 Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Returns: Draw £560.00 WilliamHill Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Returns: Chelsea £17.27 PaddyPower Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets
Team News
Available Squads
26Ali Al HabsiGoalkeeper
3Antolín AlcarazDefender
5Gary CaldwellDefender
17Emmerson BoyceDefender
21Iván RamisDefender
31Maynor FigueroaDefender
4James McCarthyMidfielder
13Victor MosesMidfielder
16James McArthurMidfielder
9Franco Di SantoStriker
10Shaun MaloneyStriker
12Mike PollittGoalkeeper
7Albert CrusatMidfielder
8Ben WatsonMidfielder
14Jordi GómezMidfielder
6David JonesMidfielder
-Mauro BoselliStriker
2Arouna KoneStriker
1Petr CechGoalkeeper
2Branislav IvanovicDefender
3Ashley ColeDefender
26John TerryDefender
34Ryan BertrandDefender
4David LuizDefender
8Frank LampardMidfielder
12John Obi MikelMidfielder
17Eden HazardMidfielder
9Fernando TorresStriker
10Juan MataStriker
22Ross TurnbullGoalkeeper
19Paulo FerreiraDefender
24Gary CahillDefender
5Michael EssienMidfielder
11OscarMidfielder
14Raúl MeirelesMidfielder
15Daniel SturridgeStriker
Players to Watch
Iván Ramis
Iván Ramis
Position: Defender
Squad Number: 21
Games Goals YC RC
16 2 1 0
Ramires
Ramires
Position: Midfielder
Squad Number: 7
Games Goals YC RC
35 5 10 1
Prediction
Editor's Prediction
Wigan 1
Chelsea 2
Results
ALL MATCHES >>
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Robin van Persie Robin van Persie
Striker
Man. United 		26 3
Luis Suárez Luis Suárez
Striker
Liverpool 		23 0
Gareth Bale Gareth Bale
Midfielder
Tottenham 		21 0
C. Benteke C. Benteke
Striker
Aston Villa 		19 3
Michu Michu
Midfielder
Swansea City 		19 0