Played
February 9, 2013 8:30 PM IST
Stamford Bridge — London
Referee:‬ M. Dean‎
Attendance:‬ 41562‎
 
23′ Ramires
Shaun Maloney 58′
56′ Eden Hazard
 
87′ Frank Lampard
 
90+2′ Marko Marin
 

Chelsea - Wigan Preview: Under-pressure Benitez desperate to end winless run

The Blues' recent form has been dire as the Champions League holders are without a victory in four, while Roberto Martinez may be optimistic of getting points from Stamford Bridge

By Tom J Doyle

More On :  Chelsea FC, Wigan Athletic, Chelsea FC vs Wigan Athletic
FA Cup: Rafa Benitez, Brentford v Chelsea
Getty Images
  PROBABLE LINEUPS


CHELSEA
Chelsea FC
Turnbull
Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Cahill, Bertrand
Ramires, Luiz
Hazard, Lampard, Mata
Torres
WIGAN
  Wigan Athletic
Al Habsi
Caldwell, Figueroa, Alcaraz
Stam, McCarthur, McCarthy, Beausejour
Espinosa, Di Santo, Maloney

John Terry (knee) will not feature against the Latics, Rafa Benitez has confirmed, but Demba Ba (broken nose) could be in contention for the hosts, although Fernando Torres is likely to start instead. Petr Cech is still recovering from a broken finger, so Ross Turnbull should carry on in his place.

Ashley Cole (hamstring) may be rested after having to come off during his 100th international appearance for England in the 2-1 victory over Brazil, while David Luiz (ankle) picked up a knock but should still play.

Eden Hazard is back after serving his three-match suspension for being sent off for attacking a Swansea ball boy, while Oriol Romeu (knee) is out until June.

Wigan's top scorer Aroune Kone is back from the Africa Cup of Nations but will need be assessed closer to the game before he returns to the starting line-up.

Antolin Alcaraz (groin) and Emerson Boyce (hamstring) are set to return for the visitors, but the game comes too soon for Ryo Miyaichi (ankle) and Ben Watson (broken leg), with both expected back at the end of February.

There are no set return dates for Albert Crusat (knee), Fraser Fyvie (muscle), Mike Pollitt (hip) or Ivan Ramis (knee).

  DID YOU KNOW?
  • Chelsea have won six of their last seven home matches against Wigan in all competitions.
  • The Blues have won just two of their last five league games, with two draws and a defeat leaving their grip on third place in doubt.
  • Wigan only have one win in their last 12 Premier League games.
  • The Latics have scored at least two goals in their last three league matches, but have also conceded at least two goals in those games.
  • Rafa Benitez has 22 points from 13 Premier League games; Roberto Di Matteo was sacked with 24 from 12 matches.
  • Juan Mata (pictured, right) has been involved in 18 goals (nine goals, nine assists) in 20 starts for Chelsea this season.
  • Wigan have drawn three of their last four games, including a 90th minute equaliser against Southampton last weekend.

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Field Report
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  • Chelsea FC 3-1 Wigan Athletic
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  • Chelsea FC 2-0 Wigan Athletic
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Head to Head
English Premier League (EPL) ‎(EPL)‎ 09-Feb-2013 Chelsea FC 4 - Wigan Athletic 1
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English Premier League (EPL) ‎(EPL)‎ 19-Aug-2012 Wigan Athletic 0 - Chelsea FC 2
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English Premier League (EPL) ‎(EPL)‎ 07-Apr-2012 Chelsea FC 2 - Wigan Athletic 1
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English Premier League (EPL) ‎(EPL)‎ 17-Dec-2011 Wigan Athletic 1 - Chelsea FC 1
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English Premier League (EPL) ‎(EPL)‎ 09-Apr-2011 Chelsea FC 1 - Wigan Athletic 0
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Last Five Matches
Chelsea FC
19-May-2013Chelsea FC 2 - Everton 1EPL
16-May-2013Benfica 1 - Chelsea FC 2EL
11-May-2013Aston Villa 1 - Chelsea FC 2EPL
09-May-2013Chelsea FC 2 - Tottenham 2EPL
05-May-2013Manchester United 0 - Chelsea FC 1EPL
Wigan Athletic
19-May-2013Wigan Athletic 2 - Aston Villa 2EPL
15-May-2013Arsenal 4 - Wigan Athletic 1EPL
11-May-2013Manchester City 0 - Wigan Athletic 1FA
08-May-2013Wigan Athletic 2 - Swansea City 3EPL
04-May-2013West Bromwich 2 - Wigan Athletic 3EPL
Odds
Team News
Available Squads
1Petr CechGoalkeeper
2Branislav IvanovicDefender
3Ashley ColeDefender
4David LuizDefender
24Gary CahillDefender
28César AzpilicuetaDefender
7RamiresMidfielder
8Frank LampardMidfielder
11OscarMidfielder
17Eden HazardMidfielder
9Fernando TorresStriker
22Ross TurnbullGoalkeeper
19Paulo FerreiraDefender
34Ryan BertrandDefender
21Marko MarinMidfielder
10Yossi BenayounMidfielder
10Juan MataStriker
29Demba BaStriker
26Ali Al HabsiGoalkeeper
5Gary CaldwellDefender
23Ronnie StamDefender
31Maynor FigueroaDefender
4James McCarthyMidfielder
16James McArthurMidfielder
-R. EspinozaMidfielder
22Jean BeausejourMidfielder
7Paul ScharnerMidfielder
9Franco Di SantoStriker
10Shaun MaloneyStriker
27JoelGoalkeeper
35Román GolobartDefender
6David JonesMidfielder
14Jordi GómezMidfielder
2Arouna KoneStriker
-Ángelo HenríquezStriker
15Callum McManamanStriker
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