Sunderland, England – Sunderland manager Steve Bruce knows that his team must be at its best on Saturday when the club welcomes Chelsea to the Stadium of Light.
The Black Cats will be looking for their first win of the campaign after two draws and a loss in their opening three matches, while Chelsea enters the contest having won its last two games.
The Blues may be in better form to start the new season, but Bruce only has to look back to last year when Sunderland recorded a stunning 3-0 win at Stamford Bridge for inspiration.
"Last season we went down to Stamford Bridge and earned what is certainly the best result of my career," Bruce told the club's official website.
"We know what to expect. We know one thing - we have to play well.
"Believe me, Chelsea will be there or thereabouts when the medals are being handed out at the end of the season."
Chelsea has won 12 of the past 13 meetings between the two sides and the club was able to add midfielder Raul Meireles just prior to the close of the transfer window.
Sunderland added some valuable pieces over the summer as well, but after losing defender Anton Ferdinand to QPR on deadline day, the club added striker Nicklas Bendtner on loan from Arsenal to bolster an attack that has scored only one goal in three games.
The two Manchester clubs enter the weekend atop the table with three wins from three games and United will travel to Bolton while City hosts Wigan.
The Red Devils dismantled Arsenal, 8-2, last time out and will be facing a Bolton side that has lost two straight matches.
City handed Tottenham a 5-1 defeat two weeks ago with four goals from Edin Dzeko, while the Latics have yet to lose in three matches, although all three have come against promoted sides.
Arsenal and Swansea City meet up the Emirates Stadium with both clubs still searching for their first win, Everton meets an unbeaten Aston Villa side at Goodison Park, Liverpool has taken seven points from three games and tries to continue its strong start at Stoke City, and Tottenham, which sits on the bottom of the league having lost its first two games by a combined score of 8-1, travels to Wolverhampton.
Sunday's action features Norwich City hosting West Bromwich with the Baggies having lost all three of their games this season, while Fulham and Blackburn having combined for one point from six games as the two teams meet up at Craven Cottage.
Newcastle and QPR round out the weekend on Monday at Loftus Road with the Magpies having claimed seven points from three games.
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