Premier League: Chelsea v Wigan match preview

A look ahead to this weekend’s Premier League fixture at Stamford Bridge

Demba Ba trains in his protective mask ahead of Chelsea's game with Wigan. (PA)

Chelsea will look to return to winning ways when Wigan visit Stamford Bridge on Saturday, with the London club searching for a win to consolidate their top four position. Having not won in their last four games, Rafael Benitez will look for his side to claim all three points against a Wigan side sitting in the relegation zone.

The Latics have not won a league game since they beat Aston Villa at the end of December, a run which has seen them drop to 18th position, two points from safety. Desperate for points, they come up against a side who need a win just as much if they are to fulfil their season ambitions, with Chelsea lying third - 16 points off the top, and just a point ahead of Tottenham.

Belgian Eden Hazard will return from suspension, having served his three-game suspension for his infamous altercation with a ball-boy in Chelsea’s League Cup semi-final clash at Swansea. Hazard will boost an attack that may feature Demba Ba, who flew to Milan this week to have a specialist mask fitted on a broken nose. Wigan will hope to have their own African striker Arouna Kone available, who returns from the African Cup of Nations following Ivory Coast’s early exit.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 3pm.

PAST MEETINGS...

Wigan 0 Chelsea 2 (Ivanovic, Lampard), Premier League, August 2012.

Chelsea 2 (Ivanovic, Mata) Wigan 1 (Diame), Premier League, April 2012.

Wigan 1 (Gomez) Chelsea 1 (Sturridge), Premier League, December 2012.

STATS...

Chelsea have never failed to score against Wigan in the league, with Wigan taking just 5 out of a possible 45 points against Chelsea.

Chelsea’s biggest league win came against Wigan in May 2010 (along with v Aston Villa in December 2012).

Wigan had won just 1 of their last 12 league matches.

Wigan have more league wins playing away this season (3) than they do at home (2).

Wigan have 5 more points than they did at this point last season (16).

ODDS...

Chelsea to win: 1.37

Wigan to win: 10

Draw: 5.6

TV: Highlights on BBC1 at 10.20pm.