Latics v Chelsea

The first game of the season is always full of optimism, the way that we finished the last campaign intensifies that optimism almost off the scale, a few shrewd additions to the squad and Martinez has fashioned a decent side

Welcoming the European Champions for the opening game casts my mind back to our inaugural season in the top flight, a sunny Sunday afternoon, a large crowd the TV cameras and a great game that we were unfortunate to lose in the dying moments

Chelsea will be aiming to get their season off to a flyer, just like us, but if we can replicate the form from last season, hit the ground running then we should fear no one, a good start can give the squad the confidence it needs to enjoy a good season, let's get the ball rolling today

Latics boss Roberto Martinez

'We finished the last campaign really well and thats what we will try to replicate'

'The start is tough, you couldn't get a harder game than the European Champions'

'But we are at home, we are excited, the fans are excited and everyone at the football club is ready to kick on the 8th season at this level'

Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo

'It's a difficult fixture to start with'

'Last season at the end Wigan were very strong, the last 12 games they were very good, so we know to expect a tough game'

James McArthur and Ivan Ramis are slight doubts, it will be interesting to see the starting eleven and where Klone fits in if the Ivory Coast international makes his debut

Latics from - Al Habsi, Caldwell, Ramis, Alcaraz, Figueroa, Boyce, Beausejour, McCarthy, McArthur, Gomez, Watson, Moses, Maloney, Di Santo, Kone, Miyaichi

On fire at the end of last season, subject of several failed bids from Chelsea

Moses with a point to prove?

By permission of Bernard Platt/Wigan Athletic

Marko Marin is doubtful

Chelsea possible - Cech, Ivanovic, Luiz, Terry, Cole, Ramires, Lampard, Mikel, Hazard, Torres, Mata

New signing Hazard is highly tipped to take the Premier League by storm, we'll see first hand if he is ready to live up to the hype

Latics and Chelsea have met 19 times

Latics 3 wins, Chelsea 13, draws 3

Last Six Meetings

07/04/12 - Premier League - Chelsea 2 - Latics 1
17/12/11 - Premier League - Latics 1 - 1 Chelsea
09/04/11 - Premier League - Chelsea 1 - 0 Latics
21/08/10 - Premier League - Latics 0 - Chelsea 6
09/05/10 - Premier League - Chelsea 8 - Latics 0
26/09/09 - Premier League - Latics 3 - Chelsea 1

Mike Jones (Chester)

Why not take a look at our 'Meet The Ref' article

1-1, both head and heart going with this today

Premier League

Southampton v Latics
St Mary's
Saturday
25/08/12
3pm

Capital One Cup 2nd Round

Nottingham Forest v Latics
City Ground
Tuesday
28/08/12
7:45pm



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