Chelsea will look to get their Premier League season off to the perfect start when they travel to Wigan on Sunday.
After capturing the title in 2010 and finishing runners-up the following year, Chelsea had a disastrous campaign last term when they limped in to sixth place.
But despite having their worst Premier League season in the Roman Abramovich era, the east London club lifted the Champions League trophy and the FA Cup.
That double success earned then interim manager Roberto Di Matteo the full-time job and ahead of this season the club have already made some big signings.
They may have lost Champions League hero Didier Drogba, but the addition of German Marko Marin, Brazilian Oscar and Belgium s Eden Hazard has boosted an otherwise ageing squad.
With the departures of Drogba, Nicolas Anelka and Salomon Kalou, the Blues lack considerable firepower up front with much of their hopes now resting on Spaniard Fernando Torres, who has endured a tough time so far at Stamford Bridge.
The former Liverpool striker did net in the 3-2 loss to reigning champions Manchester City in the Community Shield last week as Chelsea finished off their pre-season preparations with their fourth straight defeat.
Wigan, who finished seven points clear of the relegation zone last year in 15th place, have done little in the way of transfers with just midfielder Fraser Fyvie and defender Ivan Ramis coming to the club.
But they have lost their all time leading Premier League goal scorer with Colombian Hugo Rodallega departing the club on a free transfer to join Fulham.
Roberto Marinez s side capped off a difficult pre-season with a 1-0 loss at Spanish side Celta Vigo, giving them just two wins from six matches.
The last time these two sides met, in April, Chelsea needed a 90th-minute strike from Juan Mata to secure a 2-1 victory, while their clash at the DW Stadium ended in a 1-1 draw.
