Chelsea Latics Preview

Wigan Athletic go into this evenings game against Chelsea looking for only their second away victory of the season, Chelsea on the other hand desperately need a victory to keep some pressure on Manchester United in the title race.

Latics take a virtual full strength side to Stamford Bridge whilst Chelsea have something of a goalkeeping crisis on their hands with first and second choice keepers out injured the appropriately named Hilario could end up between the sticks.

Its all well and good Chelsea having problems but the Latics need to up their away form if they are to get anything whatsoever out of this game, the most disappointing aspect of Latics away games this season has been the performances that have at times been shocking.

It would be good to finish this season on a high and a point at least away at Stamford Bridge would go a long way to achieving that and securing Premier League football for another season.

The dream lives on

Latics boss Steve Bruce:

'After arriving in November, if someone had told me we would be in this position I'd have been delighted.

'But we must make sure we keep focused, and now it's a question of whether we can take our home form to Chelsea.

'We got a result at Anfield and drew with Arsenal, so anything can happen.'

Chelsea boss Avram Grant:

'We are in the best situation since I came here.

'Even when we started and five teams were ahead of us, we always believed we could do something in the league, we believe it especially now.'

The big talking point is if Grant will risk Hillarious Hilario
for tonights game or rush Petr Cech back into first team action, we'll know about 7-45

Chelsea from:

Hilario, Taylor, Ferreira, Belletti, Alex, Terry, Carvalho, Ben-Haim, A Cole, Bridge, Lampard, Essien, Ballack, Sidwell, J Cole, Wright-Phillips, Shevchenko, Pizarro, Drogba, Obi, Makelele, Kalou, Anelka.

Joe Cole is a World Class player and can win games on his own.

With Michael Brown and Jason Koumas back from suspension Latics are just missing long term injury victim Erik Edman and Steve Bruce will have plenty options in his team selection.

Latics from:

Kirkland, Melchiot, Scharner, Boyce, Kilbane, Brown, Palacios, Skoko, Taylor, Valencia, Heskey, Bent, Aghahowa, Hagen, King, Sibierski, Koumas, Bramble, Figueroa, Olembe, Pollitt.

He's here, he's there, he's every where...it's Wilson Palacios the find of the season

This season reverse fixture


Latics 0-2 Chelsea

Lampard 11, Belletti 18

Ref - Steve Bennett

3/11/2007

Latics have met Chelsea 5 times in the league and have lost all 5.

Latics have beaten Chelsea twice in Cup matches

1-0 at Stamford Bridge in the 3rd round of the FA cup in 1980 and 4-2 at Springfield Park in the 2nd round of the League cup in 1982

Andre Marriner (West Mids)

Card Watch

Games - 17

Yellows - 49

Reds - 3

Heart says Latics to get a sneaky 1-1 draw

Head says knowing our away form Chelsea 3-1

Latics Vs Spurs
19th April 2006
3pm
JJB

Latics Vs Reading
26th April 2008
3pm
JJB

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