Sunderland manager Steve Bruce is hoping that his side can continue their recent run of impressive results against the Premier League’s top clubs.

The Black Cats defeated Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham on their own patch last season, and have already beaten Manchester City at the Stadium of Light this term.

Sunderland’s next outing is a lower-profile clash against Wigan at the DW Stadium on Saturday 11th September. Full Time Result betting has Wigan at (2.30), with Sunderland (2.87) and the draw (3.25).

However, after that trip they face successive league games against Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United where Bruce is hoping to continue their impressive record.

He said: “The fixtures are difficult, but that is the Premier League.

“Going into the end of the month, we know there is a run of fixtures – but we had them last year.

“We had a run of fixtures where we thought, ‘Oh, I don’t fancy that’, Liverpool and Arsenal at home back-to-back.

“But we beat them both – and went to Wigan, Birmingham and Burnley and lost.

“You can never call it, but certainly, the big teams brought out the best in us.”

Sunderland are 8.50 to be relegated from the Premier League 2010/11.

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West Ham have signed Denmark right-back Lars Jacobsen from Blackburn after the Premier League approved the deal.

The move was finalised late on transfer deadline day, but checks were being made to ensure the relevant paperwork was submitted before the 6pm deadline.

The Premier League have given the deal the green light, meaning the 30-year-old moves to Upton Park on a free transfer.

Jacobsen has earned 35 caps for his country and played 16 times for Blackburn after joining them on a free transfer from Everton last summer.

After conceding nine goals in their opening three Premier League matches, Hammers boss Avram Grant had made signing a new right-back a priority.

Jacobsen played in all three of Denmark’s matches at this summer’s World Cup, where they failed to progress from their group.

The Hammers are next in action on Saturday 11th September when they face a daunting visit from champions Chelsea.

Full Time Result betting has West Ham at 8.50 to pick up their first win of the season, Chelsea are on offer at 1.28 to maintain their perfect record while the draw is 5.00.

West Ham are currently 2.62 to be relegated this season.

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Wayne Bridge has targeted Manchester City’s home match with Blackburn on 11th September to make his first appearance of the season.

The defender has been out of action since pre-season with a broken foot.

The injury is not yet completely healed, but Bridge is starting to feel more confident about applying some pressure and is hoping to be available for the visit of Rovers after the international break.

Full Time Result betting has City fancied at 1.28 to win the match, while Blackburn are 8.50 and the draw 5.00.

“It has been frustrating because it is one of those where you have to wait in case the fracture gets worse,” Bridge told www.mcfc.co.uk.

“But the injury has seemed a lot better over the past few days and I should be back in training either some time this week or next.

“I have been working hard doing bike work, rowing and a bit of boxing, so I feel fit.

“Hopefully I can slot back in and not find training too hard when I get back then it will be fingers crossed for Blackburn.”

Although new signing Aleksander Kolarov is currently out of action, Bridge will still face competition from a former international team-mate in Joleon Lescott when he is battling for a place in Roberto Mancini’s starting line-up.

It is part of a strength in depth that is unmatched in the Premier League.

“We have an even stronger squad now,” said Bridge.

“It’s a great squad. You need a squad this size if you’re going to compete for everything you go for.”

Manchester City are 9.00 to win the Premier League 2010/11.

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Liverpool have completed the signing of former FC Porto midfielder Raul Meireles.

The 27-year-old has joined Roy Hodgson’s side for 14million euros (£11.5million) on a four-year contract.

Meireles will bolster Liverpool’s midfield which was looking worryingly short on numbers following the departures of Javier Mascherano and Alberto Aquilani.

The Portugal international insists he is not just a replacement for Javier Mascherano and, quoted in the Sunday Express, he said: “Roy Hodgson was key to me coming here because he worked so hard to sign me.

“I am Meireles and not Mascherano and that will be clear to the fans. I hope one day the Liverpool fans will remember me for being successful.”

Meireles has won four titles with Porto and been capped 38 times by Portugal, playing in all four of his country’s games at this summer’s World Cup.

Liverpool have endured a poor start to he season, last time out they lost 3-0 to a rampant Man City side but they will look to improve on that in today’s home clash against West Brom.

Full Time Result betting has Liverpool at 1.25 to get the win, West Brom, who beat Sunderland last weekend can be backed at 13.00 while the draw is 5.75.

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James Milner expects a tough game at the Stadium of Light on Sunday as big spending Manchester City travel to Sunderland.

The former Aston Villa midfielder enjoyed a memorable debut on Monday as his new team secured a comfortable 3-0 victory over Liverpool.

The north-east is always a tough place to go and they create a great atmosphere.

James Milner

Full Time Result betting for tomorrow’s clash has Sunderland at 4.50, with Man City 1.83 and the draw 3.50.

Milner played for Newcastle earlier in his career, and he believes that City will be in for a different kind of challenge when they travel to Wearside.

He said: “Steve Bruce always has his teams settled very well. He is a good manager and they had good spells last season.

“The north-east is always a tough place to go and they create a great atmosphere. It is a very good place to play football.

“It is up to us to get on top of them early in the game because if they start well and get a goal in front with the crowd behind them it can be tough.

“Hopefully we can get out of the blocks quickly, put in a good performance and get the right result.”

Milner can be backed at 3.40 to score at any time during the match with Sunderland.

City manager Roberto Mancini is pleased with the way his expensively-assembled side is developing, and he wants them to be easy on the eye.

He said: “It is important we play football – no long balls but on the floor, shifting the ball quickly. The players I have brought in need to fit the style I want to bring here.

“I have followed all the players I bought many times and know they all have good mentality.

“If we think that because we beat Liverpool that Sunderland will be easy, it would be a big mistake.

“In the Premier League every game is difficult. If you don’t play Liverpool, Manchester United or Chelsea, it is even more difficult, for me.”

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