It's Premier League match once again at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea get ready to welcome Wigan in match week 32 on Saturday, April 9, in athe second of a two-legged contest.
The first, hosted by Wigan on August 21, 2010, ended 6-0 in the visitors' favour. Garden Sheds Wigan Nicolas Anelka and Salomon Kalou scored twice each as Chelsea crushed Wigan. The match was such a stroll in the park for Chelsea that the champions' loss at the same venue last year appeared baffling, by contrast.
To Wigan's credit, they came out firing in the first 20 minutes. But after Chelsea went into the lead on 34 minutes, on the back of Malouda's strike, the home team just faded away. Chelsea took hold of the game and their midfielders and forwards took turns at scoring.
For a change, Anelka got to score himself, instead of having to supply Drogba with goal scoring fodder. Chelsea's defence was solid, with Terry and Alex outstanding. Benayoun came in as an 80th minute substitute and scored his side's last goal of the game.
Head to head, Chelsea have established a 9-1 advantage over Wigan, in the last 11 league games played between the sides, with the remaining match drawn.
In their last 10 league games, Chelsea have registered 5 wins, 3 draws and 2 losses; Wigan have won 2 of their last 10, while losing 3 and drawing the remaining 5. Of their 14 home games this season, Chelsea have won 10, and drawn and lost 2 each, while Wigan have won just 2 of their 14 games on the road, while losing and drawing 6 each.
In match week 31, Chelsea drew 1-1 away at Stoke, while Wigan drew 0-0 against Tottenham, playing at home.
Wigan are currently propping up the league table and appear destined to stay where they are, at least in match week 32.
Chelsea who have been pushed down again to fourth place by Man City will want to regain third place, and a win against Wigan will be a step in that direction. Playing at Stamford Bridge, Wigan can expect no mercy from the champions who must be keen to salvage as much pride as they can from the fag end of their campaign, given that their defence of their title seems all but over.
Chelsea's starting eleven against Stoke had the following players: Cech, Bosingwa, David Lutz, Terry, Ramires, Essien, Lampard, Malouda, Drogba and Anelka. Ivanovic, Kalou and Torres featured as substitutes.