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Having won the title of European champions, the Blues now have to earn it. Al Hain-Cole expects Di Matteo's exciting attack to light up a high-scoring game at the DW Stadium

After last season's Champions League victory was labelled fortuitous by most neutral observers, Roman Abramovich has invested heavily to ensure that his Chelsea team live up to their billing as European Champions.

With exciting youngsters replacing the experienced departed veterans, this season represents the start of a new era under the recently-appointed Roberto Di Matteo.

The Italian will be desperate to kick off life as a full-time Chelsea boss with a win against Wigan on Sunday, and his side are heavy favourites at 59/100 (1.59) with Panbet to do just that.

It is difficult to know which Wigan team will take the field at the DW Stadium: the one that looked destined for the drop for most of last season, or the resurgent side that won seven of their last nine games to ensure their Premier League survival.

Roberto Martinez certainly has a knack for digging his side out of trouble, but life would surely be much easier for the Latics if they could start the season as strongly as they inevitably finish.

Not much is expected of them on Sunday though, as they are a lengthy 61/10 (7.10) to pick up all three points against their affluent opponents.

Wigan held Chelsea to a draw in this fixture last season, and were unlucky not to pick up a point in the away game after some controversial refereeing.

You can back them at 29/10 (3.90) to deny the Blues of two points again and gain a draw this one.

With the attacking talents of Oscar, Eden Hazard and Marko Marin brought in to complement the newly-crowned and newly-confident Euro 2012 top-scorer Fernando Torres, goals should be in abundant supply for Chelsea this season.

There is no better opponent to help demonstrate these attacking credentials than Wigan, who have conceded 34 goals in 14 previous Premier League appearances against the Londoners.

With Roberto Martinez's defenders bracing themselves, Chelsea seem sure to rack up over 1.5 goals in this encounter, at odds of 39/50 (1.78).

However, the Latics may be encouraged by the Blues' unconvincing performances at the back in pre-season, where they failed to keep a single clean sheet.

Considering Chelsea conceded in all but five Premier League away games last season, it seems safe to expect goals at both ends in this match, at odds of 21/20 (2.05).

BET

OF THE

DAY

BEST BET

VALUE BET

Chelsea to score over 1.5 goals at 39/50 (1.78) with Panbet

Both sides to score at 21/20 (2.05) with Panbet

Al Hain-Cole is a Liverpool fan, experienced tipster and avid follower of European football. He specialises in accumulators and if you would like to read more from Al you can follow him on Twitter here.

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