WIGAN ATHLETIC V CHELSEA
Read a full match preview of the Premier League game between Wigan Athletic and Chelsea at the DW Stadium on Saturday Dec 17 2011, kick-off 17:30 GMT.
Back or not? Andre Villas-Boas must decide whether to recall Frank Lampard to his starting line-up at Wiigan
Team News
Wigan defender Antolin Alcaraz is doubtful.
The Paraguay international, making his return from suspension, suffered a rib injury in last week's defeat of West Brom and faces a fitness test.
Fellow defender Emmerson Boyce, who has not featured for six weeks, could take his place.
Goalkeeper Chris Kirkland is in contention for a place on the bench after recovering from the back problem which cut short his loan at Doncaster
Meanwhile, David Luiz returns from suspension for Chelsea.
The defender sat out Monday night's victory over Manchester City after picking up his fifth domestic booking of the season.
Midfielder Michael Essien is on course to return from knee surgery in a month's time.
Match Notes
Carlo Ancelotti may have suffered his first defeat as Chelsea manager at Wigan, but the DW Stadium has presented few other problems for the Londoners.
Chelsea have won five of their six matches here and they will expect to do the same again to move within four points of leaders Manchester City.
The question is, will Andre Villas-Boas recall Frank Lampard to his starting line-up or leave him on the bench for the third game in succession?
Wigan have won two in three but face Liverpool and Manchester United next and any points in this spell will be a bonus.
Betting: Home 15-2, Away 4-11, Draw 15-4.
Stat of the game: Wigan have played five home games, losing four, drawing one, conceding 14 goals and scoring just five.
That is the longest spell that any Premier League club has gone without winning on home soil.
Wigan have also gone 11 games since they won by more than one goal.
Graham Chase’s prediction: Wigan 0 Chelsea 3.
Saturday, December 17
Wigan defender Antolin Alcaraz is doubtful.
The Paraguay international, making his return from suspension, suffered a rib injury in last week's defeat of West Brom and faces a fitness test.
Fellow defender Emmerson Boyce, who has not featured for six weeks, could take his place.
Goalkeeper Chris Kirkland is in contention for a place on the bench after recovering from the back problem which cut short his loan at Doncaster
Meanwhile, David Luiz returns from suspension for Chelsea.
The defender sat out Monday night's victory over Manchester City after picking up his fifth domestic booking of the season.
Midfielder Michael Essien is on course to return from knee surgery in a month's time.
Match Notes
Carlo Ancelotti may have suffered his first defeat as Chelsea manager at Wigan, but the DW Stadium has presented few other problems for the Londoners.
Chelsea have won five of their six matches here and they will expect to do the same again to move within four points of leaders Manchester City.
The question is, will Andre Villas-Boas recall Frank Lampard to his starting line-up or leave him on the bench for the third game in succession?
Wigan have won two in three but face Liverpool and Manchester United next and any points in this spell will be a bonus.
Betting: Home 15-2, Away 4-11, Draw 15-4.
Stat of the game: Wigan have played five home games, losing four, drawing one, conceding 14 goals and scoring just five.
That is the longest spell that any Premier League club has gone without winning on home soil.
Wigan have also gone 11 games since they won by more than one goal.
Graham Chase’s prediction: Wigan 0 Chelsea 3.
Saturday, December 17
Wigan Athletic v Chelsea
DW Stadium
Kick-off: 15.00 GMT.
TV: Live ESPN, Highlights, BBC1 Match of the Day.
DW Stadium
Kick-off: 15.00 GMT.
TV: Live ESPN, Highlights, BBC1 Match of the Day.
Wigan (Probable, 4-5-1): Al Habsi; Gohouri, Caldwell, Boyce, Figueroa; McCarthy, Gomez, Moses, Diame, Jones; Sammon
Out: Van Aanholt (ineligible).
Test: Alcaraz (rib), Kirkland (back).
Out: Van Aanholt (ineligible).
Test: Alcaraz (rib), Kirkland (back).
Chelsea (Probable, 4-3-3): Cech, Bosingwa, David Luiz, Terry, Cole; Ramires, Romeu, Meireles; Sturridge, Drogba, Mata.
Out: Essien (knee), Hilario (illness).
Out: Essien (knee), Hilario (illness).
Referee: Martin Atkinson (Matches 12, R6 Y43).
telegraph.co.uk
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