Roy Keane, the Sunderland manager, believes Chelsea will win the Barclays Premier League this season, but is backing his side to hold up their title charge on Saturday.

Chelsea's 86-match unbeaten League run at home ended with a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool at Stamford Bridge last weekend.

And Keane is confident that Sunderland can bounce back from Wednesday's defeat at Stoke, despite last winning at Chelsea in 2001.

Keane said: "We're glad to have another game so soon after Stoke but we're not glad it's Chelsea, they're a fantastic team with an unbelievable home record.

"I was asked at the start of the season who would win it [the Premier League] and I said Chelsea. They've got a brilliant manager and brilliant players and they know what it takes to win the league.

"I know Liverpool are top and doing really well at the moment and [Manchester] United and Arsenal are top teams but I just fancy Chelsea, I'm sticking to my guns.

"We know it is a hugely difficult game but we've got to believe we can do something."

The manner of Sunderland's defeat at the Britannia Stadium angered Keane who has promised to make changes against Chelsea.

"We need to respond from Wednesday because it was not good enough," he said. "I hope I don't regret saying this but I think Chelsea is a good game for us.

"The Premier League is unforgiving, if you are not at it, you will be beaten; and if we perform like we did the other night, particularly with our work-rate and passing, then it could be a cricket score.

"I really think football is a simple game. Close people down, win tackles, pass the ball and move - if you do those well, you have a good chance of getting a positive result."

Keane has promised to shake things up after seeing several of his players fail to impress against Stoke.

"Some players really let themselves down the other night, without a shadow of doubt," he said. "Any credit the players got for beating Newcastle last Saturday was completely wiped out.

"We seem to have to play really well to get a result, we haven't got the knack of playing badly and getting something and that needs to change, we're too inconsistent."

Kenwyne Jones was one player absolved of any blame for Sunderland's defeat at Stoke and Keane is set to give the big striker a first start of the season after he came off the bench at the start of the second half at the Britannia Stadium.

Keane said: "We played Chelsea last year and Kenwyne gave their back four a very hard time; if he can do the same, we'll be delighted. Kenwyne's got a hell of chance of being a top, top player. We all believe he has a fantastic career ahead of him.

"He's come back with that freshness which happens with lads who return from long-term injuries. Kenwyne was really keen to get on the other night, when he did he was good and he's in the reckoning for Chelsea," added Keane.

"I had planned to hold him back but sometimes players make the decision for me."

Marton Fulop is set to play his third game in a row as Craig Gordon is still struggling with an ankle injury. Pascal Chimbonda, Nyron Nosworthy and Teemu Tainio are pushing for a return to the side.