Wigan v Chelsea preview

Tough task awaits Bruce's men this Sunday

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 23rd August 2008

Steve Bruce Wigan Athletic manager

Bruce: Will he be celebrating?

PREDICTIONS:

Skysports.com prediction: 1-3

SKYBET odds: Wigan 15/2, Draw 10/3, Chelsea 2/5

One to Watch: Deco

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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.