Former Arsenal star has potential to do them a Premier League favour

Nicklas Bendtner is expected to be thrown in the deep end for Sunderland this weekend, but given the quality of his international form of late, his debut could help the Black Cats to their first Premier League win of the season.

Bendtner may not have started a Premier League game since early March and only made precious few substitute appearances since, but there can certainly be no complaints that he is short on fitness or out of form.

The 23-year-old scored both goals as Denmark won their Euro 2012 qualifier at home to Scandinavian rivals Norway.

It was the composure and accuracy of the two finishes that may impress Sunderland fans and they will be hoping that he can bring his scoring touch to club level.

Bendtner may still be yet to train with Sunderland since his deadline-day loan move from Arsenal, but that seems unlikely to prevent the Dane replacing Asamoah Gyan for the home clash with Chelsea.

Sunderland have only managed one goal in their opening three Premier League games, with Gyan struggling to discover his best form.

He was also injured playing for Ghana in a recent African Cup of Nations qualifier with Swaziland, although he is expected to have recovered from this problem ahead of this weekend.

With Bendtner possessing more of a physical presence and better hold-up play to bring others into attacks, alongside being in better goalscoring form, he is set to be handed a first start.

Sunderland’s odds are 4/1 to beat Chelsea, although this may be unlikely given that they have lost their last six home Premier League games against the opposition.

However, Sunderland may be buoyed by their 3-0 victory at Stamford Bridge last season, which was a fixture that was perhaps the best performance from Gyan since his signing from Rennes.

Chelsea will know the importance of a victory to keep on the toes of Manchester United and Manchester City and are 7/10 to triumph.