Sunderland and Fulham will both look for bright starts when they begin their English Premier League campaign Saturday.
Paolo Di Canio will want his Sunderland side to improve considerably from last season, where they only narrowly avoided relegation.
The Black Cats have made several signings this summer as Di Canio looks to mould this Sunderland side according to his liking.
"It's pleasing to start at home, it's certainly a long time since I've done that -- at least five years ago," Sunderland midfielder Sebastian Larsson said.
"Hopefully we can get off to a good start in front of our home fans and get the season started.
"That first game always has something about it. The fans have waited a long time for the season to start and it's the same for us players.
"There's a lot of excitement to get started and see where you are and how you stand compared to other teams. It's important to get off to a good start."
Fulham have also done well in the transfer market bringing in the likes of Adel Taarabt and Darren Bent to just name two and Martin Jol is confident his side can do well this season, although he does acknowledge Sunderland will be difficult first opponents.
"If you look at Jozy Altidore, he was the top scorer in Holland and he did very well for the American national team," Jol explained. "He didn't do so well at the start of his career because he was young.
"He scored a hat-trick yesterday against Bosnia, and they are no mugs, so he's very good. Of course they've got Steven Fletcher as well, and they've got a lot of players up front who can fill in on the flank.
"They spent a lot of money on Adam Johnson and I think he's a very talented boy. In midfield with Sebastian Larsson they've got a specialist with set-pieces, so I think their balance is good but, hopefully for us, we are better than them. But it's an away game.
"Tactically, they play in a normal style, there's nothing difficult about it, we play in a normal style so it's always about players who can make the difference. Hopefully my players up front can make a difference and the rest will follow."
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Expected lineups: Sunderland: Westwood; Celustka, O'Shea, Roberge, Colback; Johnson, Larsson, Cabral, Giaccherini; Sessegnon; Altidore.
Fulham: Stekelenburg; Riether, Amorebieta, Hangeland, Richardson; Sidwell, Boateng; Duff, Ruiz, Taarabt; Berbatov.
Prediction: 2-1 to Sunderland
