Chelsea face their day of destiny as they take on Wigan knowing a win will clinch the Premier League title.
Three points for the Blues will spark Stamford Bridge celebrations
Chelsea face their day of destiny on Sunday as they take on Wigan knowing a win will clinch the Premier League title.
The Blues currently lead Manchester United by one point at the top of the table and although the Red Devils have a winnable game at home to Stoke, the job is firmly in Chelsea's hands.
A victory against the Latics, who have only pride to play for themselves, would break United's three-year hegemony of the top-flight and earn them their first title since Jose Mourinho's success in 2006.
Carlo Ancelotti's men have been in pole position for the back end of the campaign although a defeat to Spurs in April coupled with a late win for United over Manchester City has resulted in a photo-finish.
Many Red Devils fans were hoping rivals Liverpool could do them a favour when they hosted Chelsea at Anfield last weekend, but a disastrous backpass from Steven Gerrard gifted Didier Drogba the lead before Frank Lampard secured the victory for the away side.
Sir Alex Ferguson has vowed to fight until the bitter end but if Chelsea were to slip up now it would need a remarkable performance from Wigan.
However, Blues fans will no doubt remember the reverse fixture at the DW Stadium earlier in the campaign when Roberto Martinez's side pulled off a shock 3-1 win back in September.
As that day proved, the Latics are capable of producing the goods on their day and Martinez has embraced a free-flowing ethos in his first season in charge.
But Wigan's inconsistency has been a major problem this year and they have also put in a number of abject displays - most notably the 9-1 defeat to Tottenham at White Hart Lane.
Team news
Chelsea will be without Jon Obi Mikel as the Nigerian midfielder underwent surgery on a knee injury in midweek.
He is also out for the FA Cup final against Portsmouth later in the month.
Michael Essien, Ricardo Carvalho and Jose Bosingwa remain sidelined but Ancelotti has no new injury worries to contend with.
Didier Drogba is set to continue up front and he goes into the final game neck-and-neck with Wayne Rooney at the top of the league's scoring chart - both players have 26 goals to their name.
Wigan will be without on-loan Bolivian striker Marcelo Moreno for the trip.
Moreno, who has only just recovered from a hamstring problem, now has an ankle injury and will join Titus Bramble (stress fracture) and Chris Kirkland (hand) on the sidelines in West London.
Charles N'Zogbia returns after an ankle injury, while out-of-contract Paul Scharner will play his last game for the club before leaving on a free transfer.
Winger Scott Sinclair is unable to play against his parent club and has already returned to Chelsea with his loan ended.
Possible starting XIs:
Chelsea: Cech, Terry, Alex, A Cole, Ivanovic, Lampard, Ballack, Malouda, Kalou, Anelka, Drogba.
Wigan: Stojkovic, Melchiot, Caldwell, Figueroa, Gohouri, Diame, Thomas, Watson, McCarthy, N'Zogbia, Rodallega.
