Chelsea 5 - 0 Sunderland

Chelsea v Sunderland: Preview

Updated: October 31, 2008, 3:45 PM UK

Scolari was in charge of South American side Palmeiras when they met Manchester United in the 1999 World Club Championship final in Tokyo.

But Keane inflicted one of the most devastating defeats during Scolari's managerial career when he finished off a cross from Ryan Giggs to ensure United became the first British club to be crowned world champions.

"Roy Keane was a fantastic player and he killed me one time,'' said Scolari.

"I think you remember - Manchester United against Palmeiras in Tokyo. He scored a goal I remember very well.

"Giggs crossed and Keane scored at the far post. It's in my mind. Maybe this is a chance to win a game against Keane. He was a very good player and he's started now as a coach.

"He's intelligent and he's learned lots from the coaches he's worked with over the years, he can be a good coach.

"They'll come here and try to work hard at the back, close down and make many counter-attacks.''

Scolari is boosted by the return of Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba to the substitutes' bench. He has recovered from a knee injury that has sidelined him for over a month.

But he is ruing the loss of centre-half Ricardo Carvalho for at least a month after he picked up a hamstring injury in the 3-0 win over Hull in midweek.

Scolari has decided against recalling England Under-21 defender Michael Mancienne from his loan spell at Wolves. Joe Cole is included despite collecting an ankle injury but Michael Ballack (foot) and Michael Essien (knee) remain out.

"Drogba is with us and will be on the bench. But it will be one month for Carvalho. It's two weeks minimum without training, then recovery work. He'll play for us after a month. He'll be a big loss.

"When I bring one player back, I lose another. That's how it's going for me at the moment at Chelsea.''

Sunderland will arrive at Stamford Bridge to face a Chelsea side still licking their wounds over a shock home defeat by Liverpool last Sunday.

The Reds ended Chelsea's unbeaten home run of 86 league games thanks to Xabi Alonso's first-half goal but Scolari shrugged off the defeat and revealed he has already identified how many points they require to finish champions.

"The fans aren't satisfied,'' admitted Scolari. "But we haven't spoken about the record in our dressing room.

"We lost the game, not the record. The record was important, but the three points were more important. We want to apologise to our fans, but we didn't play very well for one game. That day was against Liverpool.

"I've been thinking about the number of points we will need because I have the statistics of the other five championships they've played before.''

Roy Keane is still tipping Chelsea to win the Premier League title this season, but that does not stop the Sunderland manager believing his side can put a spoke in the wheel of their title charge.

Keane is likely to hand Kenwyne Jones his first start of the season after recovering from knee ligament damage.

Goalkeeper Craig Gordon (ankle) is still struggling so Marton Fulop is expected to start his third game in a row, while Phil Bardsley suffered a dead-leg at Stoke on Wednesday but should recover in time.

The Black Cats boss has already warned there will be changes after the 1-0 defeat at Stoke, and Teemu Tainio, Nyron Nosworthy and Pascal Chimbonda are pushing for a return.

While Keane is full of admiration for Chelsea and Scolari, he is confident his side can bounce back from Wednesday's defeat at Stoke.

The Black Cats last won at Chelsea in 2001 - and have not scored there since.

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.''