Keane has once again heavily invested over the summer with big name signings including Djibril Cisse, Steed Malbranque and former Wigan favourite Pascal Chimbonda.
The expectations are high in the North East with Europe in mind for most connected with the club so Roy Keane will want to prove that he can take Sunderland to new levels in the Premier League.
The Mackems are now in their second successive season in the top flight and look to have moved on from their disappointing campaign when they finished bottom of the Premiership in the 2005/2006 season.
Sunderland started the new campaign with a home defeat to Liverpool with Fernando Torres bagging the only goal. Keane and his men then headed south to London to play Tottenham Hotspur and they claimed a surprise victory by 2-1.
New loan signing Cisse scored a debut goal to give the club their first win of the season. Sunderland then slipped to defeat at home to Manchester City as they crashed to a 3-0 defeat.
A mixed start for Keane and his team so far but they will be refreshed and have confidence along with being backed by 5000 fans in a game where both sides will think they can win.
Steve Bruce will know that his side face a tough test but the last result against Hull was something know one expected.
The 5-0 demolition saw Zaki, Heskey and Valencia get on the score sheet on Humberside and they will all want to bag a goal on Saturday.
The game will not be an easy one as Bruce will only have one full training session with his team before the game which will mean the players will not have much time to prepare.
Injury News
Paul Scharner should be fit to play but might have to settle for a place on the bench due to the form of Emmerson Boyce and Titus Bramble. Depending on the condition of players are after international duty it could be the same side who played against Hull a fortnight ago. Jason Koumas is a major doubt with an ankle injury but managed to play for Wales in their 1-0 win over Azerbaijan.
Predicted Line Up
Kirkland
Melchiot Boyce Bramble Figueroa
Valencia Palacios Cattermole Kilbane
Zaki Heskey
Key Players for Sunderland
Craig Gordon - The Scotland number one is a top goalkeeper and signed for Sunderland last season for a British record fee for a goalkeeper which was around £9m. A good shot stopper and commands his defence well.
Anton Ferdinand - The new signing from West Ham will want to make a point to his new team mates and his new manager. The highly rated centre back signed for £8m in the summer and is strong in the tackle, good in the air and composed when under pressure.
Steed Malbranque - The talented midfielder is another summer signing who joined from Tottenham along with Teemu Tainio and Pascal Chimbonda. Quick feet and likes to shoot with the outside of the boot. He can create something out of nothing.
Djibril Cisse - The former Liverpool striker struggled in the Premier League last time around but has scored on his debut which will give him confidence. A real finisher who will punish any mistakes. He has a great turn of pace and is known to have extravagant hair styles.
Prediction
After the Hull City game the squad should be full of confidence but will want to improve on their performance as it was not as good as it could be. However I predict a win for Wigan in a tight contest.
WAFC 2-0 SAFC
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