Wigan Athletic v Chelsea: Can Martinez beat the champions of Europe?
Wigan played host to Chelsea on their Premier League debut in 2005 and nobody gave them a chance of staying up. Seven years on and the Latics are remarkably still dining at the top table.
This afternoon they entertain the Champions of Europe but Roberto Martinez will not be fazed by that, especially if the hosts can start the season the same way they ended last year.
There will be a number of new faces on show for the visitors - Oscar, Marin, Hazard - but everyone is expecting Torres to shine as the main man following Drogba's departure. Can the Spaniard shoot the Blues to an opening day win?
Chelsea haven't lost on the opening day of the season since 1998 when they lost 2-1 at Coventry and there's not a lot of love around for anything but an away win here.
Wigan Athletic v Chelsea; Kick Off 1.30pm August 19 2012
Prediction Panel
|
Arsenal |
Shub Chaterjee |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Aston Villa |
Frank Pattison |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
Chelsea |
Joe Tyler |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
Everton |
Chris Goodwin |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
Fulham |
Neil Springate |
0 |
V |
1 |
|
Liverpool |
Dave Disciascio |
0 |
V |
3 |
|
Man City |
Callum Rothwell |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Man United |
Alex Richert |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Newcastle |
Greg Hall |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
Norwich |
Sue Read |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
QPR |
John Jaycock |
0 |
V |
3 |
|
Reading |
Jon Keen |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Southampton |
Andy Saunders |
0 |
V |
3 |
|
Stoke City |
Jack Heaney |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Sunderland |
Tony Ratton |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Swansea |
Jim Barry |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Spurs |
Mike Richards |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
West Brom |
Andy Wakeman |
0 |
V |
1 |
|
West Ham |
Matt Beeby |
0 |
V |
3 |
|
Wigan |
Jimmy Shine |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OUR EXPERTS |
|
|
|
|
|
Writer |
Colin Illingworth |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Writer |
Steve Coulter |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Writer |
Hugh Larkin |
0 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Mitch Waddon |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
Writer |
Chris Pettitt |
0 |
V |
3 |
|
Writer |
Sarshar Hossiennia |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Blackburn fan |
Terry Kennedy |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Bolton fan |
David Blackburn |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Boro fan |
Sue Gardener |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Pompey fan |
Dan Taylor |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Pompey fan |
Peter Rendle |
0 |
V |
3 |
|
West Ham fan |
Nigel Telfer |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Wolves fan |
Chris Cox |
0 |
V |
3 |
|
Editor |
Antony Melvin |
0 |
V |
2 |
Panel Verdict
The champions of Europe should get their campaign off to a flyer.
Home: 1; Draw: 1; Away: 33. TBC 1.
* Do we have it right or do you know better? We’d love to hear from you.
