After last week's 4-0 embarrassment at the hands of newly-promoted Blackpool, it's safe to suggest the very last team Roberto Martinez and Wigan Athletic would choose to face next would be champions Chelsea.
But that is exactly the task that faces them this Saturday — the only saving grace being that at least it is in front of the home fans at the DW Stadium.
The Latics go into the game with grave defensive concerns, even before considering that their opponents scored six in their last game, and eight in the previous meeting between the two sides. The one positive, which the Spanish boss can be given for clinging onto, is that his side romped to a 3-1 win in the corresponding fixture last term.
On that occasion, a sending off for goalkeeper Petr Cech and a fine individual performance from Hugo Rodellega helped grab the three points. Martinez will be hoping for a similar turn of events this time out, as he looks to win back some trust from the fans (and, by proxy, the board) who were so disappointed with the Blackpool opener.
After being exposed so cruelly by Marlon Harewood (hardly a hitman at the highest level) in the season opener, it would be something of a surprise if 'parking the bus' isn't the order of the day for the home side.
Hit the ground running
By contrast, champions Chelsea began their title defence the way they earned the crown in the first place, with as comfortable a 6-0 beating of West Bromwich Albion as you are ever likely to see.
Of satisfaction to Carlo Ancelotti, he saw key striker Didier Drogba get a hat-trick, while Frank Lampard and Florent Malouda — two key midfield contributors from last season — also opened their accounts at the earliest opportunities. It all bodes well for a similarly ruthless season this time round.
The Italian might be forgiven for heading to the DW with a little apprehension, however, given that it was the ground that he suffered his first defeat as a manager in England. Ancelotti is too savvy a tactician to concern himself with something as petty as revenge, but he will likely remind his side that a loss of focus can have crucial consequences.
Major summer signing Ramires is likely to be available for selection for the first time, but the Brazilian shouldn't be required to get another early-season victory, if everything goes according to plan.
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Newly-appointed club captain Gary Caldwell will miss the game — through both suspension and injury, as he recovers from off-season hip surgery.Charles N'Zogbia remains at loggerheads with the club, and although Martinez has played down the dispute it is hard to imagine that the recently capped French international will return to the first XI this weekend.
Possible Starting XI: Kirkland; Stam, Boyce, Alcaraz, Figueroa; Thomas, Diame, McCarthy, Moses, Rodallega; Boselli.
Chelsea
New signing Ramires is available and might well go straight into the matchday squad, although a start might be a bit premature at this stage.Defender Branislav Ivanovic is back to full fitness after picking up a slight knock while on international duty before the West Brom game, and his return gives Ancelotti a full-strength squad to pick from — at least while the slowly-recovering Jose Bosingwa remains out of sight and out of mind.
Possible Starting XI: Cech; Ivanovic, Alex, Terry, Cole; Mikel, Essien, Lampard; Malouda, Anelka, Drogba.
Wigan Athletic 0-3 Chelsea 
