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By Simon Hart
LONDON, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Chelsea will be looking to offer new coach Luiz Felipe Scolari another big win when they visit Wigan Athletic at the weekend.
Scolari enjoyed a 4-0 home victory over Portsmouth on his debut with the London club and the Brazilian will hope for more of the same, despite the likely absence of Michael Ballack, who sat out Germany's game against Belgium with a bruised foot, and Didier Drogba's continuing knee problems.
That said, Steve Bruce's Wigan can be stubborn opponents as they showed when dealing Chelsea's title hopes a damaging blow last April when drawing 1-1 at Stamford Bridge.
While Chelsea shone on the opening weekend, Manchester United stumbled to a home draw with Newcastle United and the champions face an awkward-looking trip to Portsmouth on Monday.
Although Alex Ferguson's team beat Portsmouth on penalties after a goalless draw in the Community Shield, they looked short of firepower both then and in the 1-1 draw with Newcastle.
Media reports continue to link United with an imminent move for Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov, but meanwhile, the injuries collected by Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick against Newcastle plus Owen Hargreaves's expected absence leave them looking unusually short on numbers. Forward Carlos Tevez should return, however.
Ferguson may even consider a recall for midfielder Anderson, who is due to return to England after Brazil's bronze-medal match against Belgium at the Olympics on Friday.
LIVERPOOL CONFIDENT
Liverpool have suffered slow starts under Rafael Benitez but after a Fernando Torres-inspired win at Sunderland, they will expect to make it two wins out of two against Middlesbrough, without a victory at Anfield since 1976.
Arsenal make the short journey across London to a Fulham side who could feature their new England striker Andy Johnson, injured for the opening-day loss at Hull City.
Promoted Hull's early optimism will be tested at Blackburn Rovers while Sunderland new boys Steed Malbranque and Pascal Chimbonda face an immediate return to the club they left during the close season, Tottenham Hotspur. However, Teemu Taino, a third ex-Spur, is expected to miss out with a muscle strain.
Saturday also brings first home games for promoted Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion, against Aston Villa and Everton respectively, while Newcastle United face Bolton Wanderers. Manchester City meet West Ham United on Sunday.
