Wigan Vs. Chelsea 2012: Game Time, TV Schedule, Live Updates And More

Chelsea look to get their season off to a fast start as they travel to face Wigan Athletic

Aug 19, 2012, 8:00 AM UTC

COBHAM, ENGLAND - MAY 15: Caretaker manager Roberto Di Matteo of Chelsea looks on during training at Chelsea Training Ground on May 15, 2012 in Cobham, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

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Roberto DiMatteo's first full season officially in charge of Chelsea begins with a trip to Wigan to face off against Roberto Martinez's Latics.

Chelsea have some questions to answer after Didier Drogba left for China during the summer. Di Matteo has brought in plenty of new faces but it will be interesting to see who he uses and how he deploys them. Fernando Torres is expected to be the man up front for the Blues and new signings Oscar and Eden Hazard certainly provide some excitement about the future. Still, there are concerns about an ageing midfield spine and no real improvement to a defense that could have used an upgrade or two. That said, they managed to do the job alright down the strech last season.

Oscar's availability is uncertain after a busy Olympics schedule this summer and new signing Marco Marin from Werder Bremen is out with a hamstring injury.

For Martinez and Wigan, it's all about getting off to a fast start and trying to stay out of the relegation fray. Unfortunately injuries are already rearing their ugly head for Wigan. New signing Ivan Ramis is doubtful with a strained hamstring, while James McCarthy is struggling with a back injury. Victor Moses will be available, despite transfer interest from several clubs, including Chelsea. New faces Fraser Fyvie, Arouna Kone and Ryo Miyaichi are all available for sslection as well.

Despite the reasonable question surrounding Chelsea, this is still the type of match you’d expect them to win and likely in a mostly painless fashion. History is on the Blues’s side as they have have not lost on the opening day of the season since 1998, a 2-1 loss at Coventry.