Wigan face baptism of fire

Wigan Athletic have never sold out the JJB Stadium, but if they do not do so when the new season starts on 13 August, Dave Whelan, the chairman who has bankrolled their rise through the divisions, may be tempted to pack in the whole enterprise.

Chelsea will be the visitors, a prospect so overwhelming, the club's chief executive Brenda Spencer admitted she was "shaking" with excitement. Even the champions will be unable to break the attendance record. In 1953, while still in the Lancashire Combination and playing at Springfield Park, Wigan attracted 27,526 for an FA Cup tie against Hereford United.

While Jose Mourinho will doubtless find his first visit to Wigan interesting, his focus may be on the following weekend, when Arsenal, who themselves open at home to Newcastle United, visit Stamford Bridge. And the next week Chelsea are at White Hart Lane where Frank Arnesen, presumably their director of football by then, can mingle with old colleagues.

Manchester United, who host Chelsea on Guy Fawkes Night, have a tricky opening with visits to Everton, Newcastle and Liverpool, plus the Manchester derby, in the first five weeks.