Gus Poyet has described Chelsea as "by far the best" side in the Premier League this season ahead of their visit to the Stadium of Light this weekend.
Sunderland will host the unbeaten league leaders tomorrow evening, having beaten Jose Mourinho's side in their last meeting at Stamford Bridge in April.
The manager told the club's website: "There are many reasons for this because for one everyone knows that Jose Mourinho hadn't lost a game at home with Chelsea in the league, and so many other things also that happened in that day.
"I think now it will be totally different because we're playing against a totally different Chelsea team, and I think they are by far the best in the Barclays Premier League.
"That said it is a game of football and other teams have done well against them to get a draw, so it is another challenge and it is a challenge to be the first team beat them in the league which is massive for any player."
Sunderland have won just twice so far this season, leaving them 14th in the league.
