Wigan Chelsea Preview

This game could not have come at a worse time for Chris Hutchings, the pressure is on, you have lost your last five games, there is unrest in the camp and you are faced with a make or break tie and who is the opposition, Chelsea

Following the departure of their very own special one, Chelsea appear to have gone into fine form with last weekends 6-0 drubbing of Manchester City the pinnacle of some fine performances of late

New manager Avram Grant seems to have shaken off much of the pessimism that was around Stamford Bridge and he has got the team believing they can challenge on all fronts this season

Chelsea have not conceded a league goal for 361 minutes and with the Latics having problems with injuries to strikers Chris Hutchings must be cursing his luck

The saving grace for the Latics could be the fact that Chelsea have a Champions League Group B match in Germany, against Schalke 04 on Tuesday.

Antoine Sibierski

'We have to concentrate on what we have to do as a team and how we're going to do it. That's the only way to beat Chelsea.

'It's going to be 11 against 11, and we know that if we can play as a unit and play football, we have a chance to beat them. In football, anything is possible.'

Dave Whelan

'I am behind Chris, but we must have success'

Chris Hutchings

'Once you go three games without scoring, it's a little bit of a concern, but we got that monkey off our back at Birmingham and we've got to make sure we continue on Saturday.'

'It's another tough game, but one both myself and the supporters are looking forward to.'


'These are the games the fans want to come and see, and we've got to give them something to cheer about.'



Avram Grant

'It's an away game at a difficult place. I saw the last game against Portsmouth, and Harry Redknapp told me they were lucky to win. Also for Liverpool it was not easy to play there, but also it's not easy to play against Chelsea now."

Heskey still out, Bent missed training since Wednesday with stomach bug and he is considered a doubt

Could be a busy afternoon for the big guy

Chelsea have Ashley Cole, John Terry and Michael Ballack missing

The England man is always a pleasure to watch and he certainly has some tricks in his play

Latics have never beaten Chelsea in the league, but do have two cup victories over the London club, though the last of those victories was back in 1981

Last seasons corresponding fixture:

Wigan Athletic 2-3 Chelsea

Wigan scorers: Heskey 45, 75

Chelsea scorers: Lampard 13, Kalou 31, Robben 90

Steve Bennett - Kent

Heart says 1-3 Chelsea win

Head says 0-4 Chelsea win

Spurs Vs Latics

11/11/07

3pm

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