Sunderland take on Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium on Saturday (KO 3pm).
Roberto Martinez's men have won one and lost two of their three games so far, with home defeats to top-flight newcomers Blackpool and Champions Chelsea, whilst atoning for last season's 9-1 defeat at the hands of Spurs with a surprising 1-0 win at White Hart Lane.
Meanwhile Sunderland are hoping to rack up their first away win of the season and have former Wigan men Lee Cattermole, Titus Bramble and of course manager Steve Bruce in their ranks. Here's safc.com's match preview as we look forward to the game.
IN THE SQUAD
Goalkeepers Chris Kirkland is now in his fifth season at the DW Stadium and started the season between the sticks for the Latics. In the opening two home games of the campaign Kirkland and conceded 10 goals in the first two home games. He is 50-50 for the game with Sunderland after being sidelined with a hip injury. Martinez brought in keeper Ali Al Habsi on-loan from Bolton Wanderers this summer. Al-Habsi kept a clean-sheet during Wigan's Carling Cup tie at Hartlepool United and denied Tottenham during the Latics' 1-0 win at White Hart Lane. Mike Pollit, who has been at Wigan since 2005, remains third choice.
Defenders Former Black Cats skipper Steven Caldwell joined Wigan this summer joining his brother Gary Caldwell at the DW Stadium. Steve made his debut in the cup win over Hartlepool, whilst Gary has been on the sidelines with a hip injury and is yet to make an appearance this season. Six-foot Ivory Coast star Steve Gohouri also joined the club on a full-time basis after spending the last half of the 2009-10 campaign on-loan from M'gladbach. Martinez also bolstered his defence with Antolin Alcaraz from FC Bruges. Maynor Figueroa, a Steve Bruce signing during his tenure with the Latics, remains at the club, alongside Ronnie Stam and Roman Golobart, who is yet to make an appearance this season.
Midfielders Tom Cleverley joined on a season-long loan from Manchester United where he has found first team opportunities hard to come by. Last season he gained first team experience at Championship sides Watford and previously Leicester City. Cleverley has been a key member of the England under-21 side and was part of the team that were victorious over Portugal last week to earn them a place in the qualification play-offs for the 2011 European Championships. Charles N'Zogbia could be in contention for a place in the squad this weekend after not featuring in the league since Wigan's 6-0 defeat by Chelsea following the breakdown of a proposed transfer move. Victor Moses joined Wigan on a three-and-a-half year deal on the final day of the January transfer-window in 2010. He joined from Crystal Palace and is able to play on either wing or up front. Tough-tackling Scotland under-21 star James McArthur joined the club in the summer, which saw him reunited with former Hamilton teammate James McCarthy. McCarthy was voted Wigan's Young Player of the Year last season after his first season with the Lancashire outfit. Dutch international Daniel De Ridder remains at the club and was signed by Steve Bruce back in 2008.
Strikers Franco Di Santo arrived at Wigan in the final stages of the summer transfer window. The 21-year-old spent most of last season on loan with Blackburn Rovers where he made 22 appearances, plus his previous eight appearances for Chelsea. He also has 25 under-20 caps for Argentina. Mauro Boselli joined Latics before the start of the 2010-11 campaign from Argentina outfit Estudiantes. He has featured in every game so far for this season, but is yet to score. Hugo Rodallega was signed for Wigan on the last day of the January 2009 transfer window by Steve Bruce. Since moving to the DW Stadium he has scored 14 times in 61 appearances.
THE GAFFER
Roberto Martinez was lured away from Swansea by Latics chairman Dave Whelan after Steve Bruce left the club to take the top job at the Stadium of Light. He starred for Wigan as a player, making over 200 appearances after joining from Real Zaragoza in 1995. He later played for Motherwell, Walsall, Swansea and Chester.
The Spaniard's first job in management came with Swansea City, when he took over at the Liberty Stadium in February 2007. After guiding The Swans to Championship he caused controversy by heading for Wigan last season and quickly signed Jason Scotland and Jordi Gomez from City.
Martinez is rated amongst the brightest young managerial talents in the game and is keen to make his mark on the Barclays Premier League.
STAR MAN
Hugo Rodallega played a big role in helping Wigan stay in the Barclays Premier League last season.
He scored 10 goals - including last season's winner against Sunderland at the DW Stadium - to help Roberto Martinez's team keep their heads above water.
The Colombian international was signed by current Sunderland manager Steve Bruce from Necaxa for around £4m in January 2009 after scoring 25 goals in 53 games in Mexico.
His first goal for the club arrived in May and Rodellega has established himself as a key member of the team with his pace and power.
The 25-year-old has made four appearances for Wigan this season, scoring the winner against Tottenham Hotspur in their last outing.
TEAM NEWS
Wigan midfielder Charles N'Zogbia should play after being left out of the win over Spurs. Goalkeeper Chris Kirkland could return after a hip injury, while Victor Moses is battling for fitness after being sidelined with an ankle injury. Gary Caldwell remains a doubt with a hip injury.
Striker Franco Di Santo and midfielder Tom Cleverley are both in line to make their debuts for the club.
Sunderland
will be without Fraizer Campbell (knee), Craig Gordon (arm), David Meyler (knee) and Michael Turner, who faces a few weeks out with an ankle injury. John Mensah has recovered from a hamstring problem, whilst Ghana team-mate and new signing Asamoah Gyan could make his debut.
Nedum Onuoha is available for selection again after he had to sit out of the game with parent club, Manchester City, whilst Andy Reid and George McCartney are also available for selection.
MATCH FACTS
- Sunderland have only won at Wigan once, back in April 2005.
- George McCartney is the only player who is remaining at the club who starred in that win.
-Wigan have won three of the last four times they have hosted Sunderland in the Premier League.
-Wigan have yet to score a goal at home this season but have conceded 10.
- It is 40 games since Wigan had back-to-back league wins - but that came when they beat Middlesbrough and Sunderland in August 2007.
