EPL: Wigan 0-1 Chelsea [24.08.08]

[Dellas]

There is no news up yet for the Chelsea squad, but Drogba won't be fit. I don't think Ballack will be risked, not sure how serious Essien's injury is. We should have Kalou back to replace Ballack.

The wigan squad tho is:
Kirkland, Melchiot, Boyce, Scharner, Figueroa, Valencia, Cattermole, Palacios, Kapo, Heskey, Zaki, Bramble, Brown, De Ridder, Kilbane, Koumas, Taylor, Camara, Sibierski, Montrose, Nash, Pollitt.

Wigan v Chelsea preview

Tough task awaits Bruce's men this Sunday

Wigan are looking to recover from opening day defeat, while Chelsea are full of confidence.
The Latics suffered failure in their first fixture of the season for the fourth year in a row, going down 2-1 away at West Ham.
Steve Bruce will be desperate for his side to avoid a repeat of last season's disastrous start, where the club lost 11 of their first 16 games.
That run of results led to Chris Hutchings being shown the door at the JJB Stadium, paving the way for Bruce's arrival.
A late resurgence saw them climb into the heady heights of mid-table, with expectations raised ahead of the new campaign.
A 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge in April helped prove how far they had come, while the point also represented the first they had taken off the Blues since they clambered into the top flight back in 2005.
While that scoreline in West London should be held in high regard, Wigan have not beaten Chelsea on home soil since 1981 and could be in for further heartache this weekend.

Luiz Felipe Scolari's men made the perfect start last week, crushing FA Cup holders Portsmouth 4-0 at Stamford Bridge.
They are now unbeaten in 22 matches, while they are also the only side not to have tasted Premier League defeat during 2008.
They have won their opening two fixtures in four of the last five seasons, and have won three consecutive games on the road.
The Blues have gone 10 games unbeaten on their travels in total, and won the corresponding fixture last season 2-0.

Edman not fit

Wigan welcomed Swedish defender Erik Edman back to training this week, but the full-back is still some way short of match fitness.
The former Tottenham man underwent knee surgery over the summer and is thought to be around eight weeks off a return to action.
As a result, Maynor Figueroa is expected to continue at left-back, but Bruce could make changes at the heart of his defence after a disappointing showing at Upton Park.
Ryan Taylor comes back into contention following a shin problem, while Emile Heskey came through his England outing in midweek unscathed.
Scolari is expected to keep faith with the side which performed so impressively against Pompey last week.

Ballack doubt

Jose Bosingwa has another week of training under his belt and should be better equipped to deal with the rigours of Premier League action, while his Portuguese compatriot Deco will be looking to build on an eye-catching debut in English football.
Ivory Coast hit-man Didier Drogba remains out of action with a knee injury, but his countryman Salomon Kalou has returned from Olympic duty in Beijing.
The only other doubt for the Blues will be Germany international Michael Ballack, who is struggling to shake off a foot problem picked up on the opening day.

Possible starting XIs

Wigan: Kirkland, Melchiot, Scharner, Boyce, Figueroa, Valencia, Cattermole, Palacios, Kapo, Heskey, Zaki.


Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole, Wright-Phillips, Lampard, Mikel, Deco, Joe Cole, Anelka.

source: Sky Sports | Football News | Match Preview | Wigan v Chelsea - 24th August 2008



Hopefully we can build on the great start that we had against Portsmouth.

[Benfica7]

Wigan v Chelsea

Wigan seem a more attractive outfit this year and striker Zaki really looks like he could get fifteen goals this season. The Egyptians movement during the first game of the season was very good and he will be good alongside Heskey. Wigan do have a good team with players such as Luis Valencia at their disposal and these quality attacking players should do well for the Latics. As for the outcome of the season, I think Wigan now have enough quality to avoid a relegation scrap come the end of the season.

Chelsea put in a stunning performance against Portsmouth and won the game 4-0. Dazzling Deco was deservedly awarded the man-of-the-match after a staggering performance capped with a marvelous goal. The Portuguese playmaker will be very important for Chelsea this year alongside the likes of Ballack, Lampard and Essien. And with so many good midfielders, who needs Kaka?! Chelsea have so many top-notch players that they should be challenging for the title definitely. And with Drogba still to come back, there is still so much more to expect from the Blues. Every player was at the top of their game last weekend and Chelsea really oozed in class. Big Phil must now try and manage the squad to get points like this week-in-week-out.

Expect Wigan to challenge Chelsea and close them down far much more than Portsmouth did. I don’t think Chelsea will win as comfortably at the JJB stadium, but they have enough quality in their squad to win the game.

Prediction: 0-2
Goal.com - Premiership - Premier League Weekend Preview: Round 2

Go Chelsea! I would hope for a good win

[ManuelD]

Forca Chelsea!!

[Dellas]

Chelsea's Michael Ballack has responded well to treatment to his ankle and could figure, while fellow midfielder Michael Essien may also be fit.

Strikers Didier Drogba (knee) and Andriy Shevchenko (groin) are out but Salomon Kalou is available after returning from the Olympics.

Our squad is:

Cech, Cudicini, Bosingwa, Belletti, Terry, Carvalho, Alex, A Cole, J Cole, Lampard, Essien, Ballack, Deco, Mikel, Anelka, Wright-Phillips, Malouda, Di Santo.

Nearly at full strength so this should be gd. I still wouldn't play Ballack but it is Scolari's decision.

[btw welcome back Manuel and Benfica ]

[ReMad]

Scolari on Wigan and Robinho
Click Here for Video

[Dellas]

Team is 4-1-4-1:

........................Cech......................

Bosingwa....Carvalho...Terry...A.Cole..

...........................Essien................. ..

J.Cole....Ballack......Lampard..........Deco..

.............................Anelka............... .......

subs: Kalou, Belletti, Malouda, Alex, Ivanovic, Hilario, Bridge

Perhaps SWP is in talks and he will be sold soon and that's why he isn't in the squad?

[Trim]

4 mins, 1-0 Chelsea.

Deco from freekick. Well taken.

[ReMad]

0-1 Deco Min.3
Click Here for Video

[ReMad]

Anelka Header Min.36
Click Here for Video

[ReMad]

Kapo Shot Saved By Cech Min.87
Click Here for Video

[ReMad]

Barclays Premier League
Wigan Athletic (15th, 0pts) v Chelsea (1st, 3pts)
Sunday, 24 August, Kick-off: 13:30 BST
JJB Stadium, Wigan


:: PreMatch Videos ::

Scolari on Wigan and Robinho
Click Here for Video

:: Goals ::

0-1 Deco Min.3
Click Here for Video

:: Extras ::

Zaki Chance Saved By Cech Min.11
Click Here for Video

Anelka Header Min.36
Click Here for Video

Kapo Shot Saved By Cech Min.87
Click Here for Video

[Sven]

had a shower after this game.

but pure classi from Deco.

[Lemmy]

Not a bad start for Deco in Chelsea.

[Sven]

wigan were much the better team, alot of pressure from them, we were tired , no Mikel, half fit players in Ballack,Essien and Bosingwa.

Mikel was a big loss, the midfield for me wasn't as smooth, a do worry about Essien... he's our best all round player, he needs to be pushed more forward, not sit back, let Mikel do this.

I like Wigan, think they credit to EPl, two out and out wingers, who are very good, and Zaki who I think be a big hit.

[Dellas]

Wigan are actually a force to be reckoned with and I will take 1-0 away from home against them. We weren't great but we did enough to secure the win.

Again Deco has the same problem, he keeps on trying to give these short fancy passes and instead they don't have power behind them and he gave the ball away cheapily by doing that but tbh apart from that he was great.