Premier League survivors Wigan host top flight new-boys Norwich in an intriguing season opener at the DW Stadium.
Both sides go into the game on a high, the Latics after their last day survival at Stoke and the Canaries after securing back-to-back promotions.
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez will be looking to get off to a flier this term after the Latics were hammered 4-0 by Blackpool in the opener at the DW last term and spent the rest of the season struggling.
A good start is equally important to Paul Lambert as the Canaries aim to do better than the last time they were in the top flight in 2004/05, when they suffered a heart-breaking final day relegation.
Both sides have undergone changes in the summer - Wigan have lost talisman Charles N'Zogbia to Aston Villa and Tom Cleverley has returned to Manchester United, while Norwich have brought in seven new signings and six have exited Carrow Road.
Wigan look set to be without midfielder James McCarthy for Saturday's opener.
The Republic of Ireland international twisted his ankle in last week's pre-season friendly against Villarreal and Latics boss Martinez has given him only a 10 per cent chance of being involved.
Striker Hugo Rodallega is available after returning late to pre-season training following his involvement with Colombia in the Copa America but defender Antolin Alcaraz, who reached the final with Paraguay, will be given more time to regain full fitness.
Norwich are hopeful Wales midfielder Andrew Crofts (ankle) and full-back Russell Martin (calf) will be fit for the clash.
Striker James Vaughan, signed from Everton, and centre-back Elliott Ward are sidelined after picking up minor knee injuries during pre-season training in Germany.
Anthony Pilkington could be included in the squad as the former Huddersfield winger continues his rehabilitation from a serious ankle injury.
Possible starting XIs
Wigan: Al Habsi, Caldwell, Boyce, Figueroa, Gohouri, Watson, Moses, Diame, McArthur, Rodallega, Sammon.
Norwich: Ruddy, Naughton, Whitbread, De Laet, Tierney, Bennett, Johnson, Hoolahan, Surman, Holt, Morison.
Betting Recommendation
Wigan has been made favourites this term to be relegated to the Championship next season. Wigan narrowly escapes the drop last term, eluding the relegation zone by just three points. Meanwhile, doubts remain over whether Antolin Alcaraz and Hugo Rodallega will start for the Latics or not, with the pair having only recently returned to the first-team fold following their extended post-Copa America break. James McCarthy, who missed three months of action last season, is extremely doubtful after picking up an ankle knock against Villarreal last Sunday.
Norwich is also one of the favourites to go down next season. Last season, in the Championship, Norwich is one of the most interesting team to watch, scoring the most goals, with 83 goals, at the same time conceding 58 goals. Norwich were hit by knee injuries to James Vaughan and Elliot Ward during their pre-season training camp in Germany back in July and the pair have no chance of making it at the DW Stadium. Steve Morison arrived at the club from Millwall in the summer but is likely to start on the bench as Paul Lambert sticks to trusted striking duo Grant Holt and Simeon Jackson.
The game between Wigan and Norwich can already be considered a six pointer, as both teams battle to avoid relegation from the English Premier League against one another at the DW Stadium on Saturday. Wigan's form in season openers is nothing short of atrocious, having lost five of six in their past curtain raisers in the top flight. Their pre-season form, however, has been quite the opposite - the Latics have won four of five encounters, drawing the other - meaning Martinez's men may be poised to reverse their opening day fortunes. Expect a win for Wigan, beating Norwich by 2-0 or 2-1 scoreline. Elmander has left for Galatasaray while Lee Chung-Yong suffered a broken leg during its pre-season friendly game.
QPR will be looking forward for their first Premier League home game after being absent from the top flight for 15 years. However, I believe Bolton will have the resilient to hold QPR to a draw.
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