Wigan vs. Chelsea Preview

After safely securing their place in the last 16 of the Champions League, Chelsea can now focus on reducing their Premier League arrears as they aim to get back in the title hunt heading into the Christmas period.

Wigan will be the hosts on December 17 for Andre Villas Boas’s men who will be confident of recording a smooth success at the DW stadium.

News of Nicola Anelka’s impending departure for China further enhances the notions of pundits and supporters who recognise that change at the club needs to be made after a barren couple of seasons.

Villas Boas, indeed, has inherited an ageing side full of quality – but one which did not quite manage to eclipse the rest of Europe even when at their peak. Now, the likes of Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard are treading dangerous territory as they reach their mid-thirties, with the denouement of their respective careers uncertain.

The Portuguese boss has already started phasing out club hero Lampard who was once ever present in the Chelsea line-up.

Nevertheless, a victory at Wigan should be bye the bye and the Latics are once again struggling to keep their heads above water at the bottom of the league.

Roberto Martinez, long touted as one of the brightest managerial prospects in the game, must face up to his equally green compatriot knowing that the pressure is going to build with every game that passes.

Martinez has arguably wasted much of the financial resource which has been given to him throughout his reign and consequently, the club still remain on the fringes of relegation despite a large amount of money being spent. Their leaky defence will struggle to cope with Chelsea who are likely to be in buoyant mood following their recent recovery.

Although the home side possess decent players in the shape of Franco Di Santo and Hendry Thomas, that level of quality does not pass throughout the squad which is fairly weak in terms of Premier League standards.

Chelsea are hardly the best around when it comes to strength in depth however any starting eleven Villas Boas decides to field should be more than capable of putting Wigan to the sword.

The 4/9 on offer for the visitors is probably decent in the grand scheme of things as anything other than a comfortable Chelsea win would be a major surprise.

The general 6/4 about Chelsea triumphing by two goals or more can also offer punters some joy as well as the travelling fans. Both sides will undoubtedly be seeking to make changes and bring in new players once the January transfer window opens – yet for far different reasons.

Chelsea could really be on the upgrade now as players fight for their future at the club. Didier Drogba is one of those men and he is likely to be given a starting berth up front.

The Ivorian looks the obvious choice to net first and can find his lethal touch once again following a scintillating display against Valencia at Stamford Bridge.

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12/12/2011     © Frixo 2024