GUS POYET thinks Sunderland will have to beat the best ‘overall team’ in Europe in order to become the first to defeat a Jose Mourinho-led Chelsea three times inside 12 months.

The Blues are already six points clear at the top of the Premier League after avoiding defeat in any of their opening 12 matches. Chelsea’s form is made all the more impressive by remaining unbeaten in both the Champions League and Capital One Cup along the way.

On Tuesday Mourinho’s men sent shock-waves around Europe by heading to Germany, where Bundesliga teams are normally so difficulty to breakdown, to defeat Schalke 5-0. That has led to increased predictions Chelsea could go the entire season without defeat, particularly domestically.

But Poyet, albeit before the summer arrivals of Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas at Stamford Bridge, knows exactly what it feels like to beat the West Londoners. In April, Poyet became the first manager to inflict a home defeat on Mourinho at the Bridge and that arrived five months after Sunderland won 2-1 at the Stadium of Light.

“Three wins in a row against Jose? No I can’t believe that,” said Poyet. “We're usually on the wrong end of stats, we hadn't won for ages on a Monday night and we didn't beat someone for 50 years, but now we're on the right side. Let me enjoy it a little bit. It's a game I'd like to play in but we know how tough it's going to be because Jose will want to continue his run.

“We'll see on Saturday. If there's rain and wind it could make the game very ugly. It's difficult to say if they can go unbeaten all season because there's such a long way to go but if there's one team who can do it, then it's probably Chelsea.”

Schalke boss Roberto Di Matteo, a former Chelsea boss, played with Poyet at Stamford Bridge and felt his old friend might give him in an insight in to what is required to stop the league leaders in midweek. Instead he felt worse.

"I said come on, show me the way,” said Poyet. “He didn't! Chelsea defend better than any team in Europe. They defend better than Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern.

"As a team Chelsea are very difficult to play against, they are special and they are unique, they defend well and are difficult to beat, they pass the ball well and they've always got options.

“They're really strong and if they keep everyone fit, it's going to be close (to go unbeaten). At the start of the season I thought they were favourites.

“Now, they're massive favourites to win the Premier League. If nothing strange happens, they're going to win the league. I'm convinced of that. They're going to win it without losing, or maybe lose one on the way, we'll see but they're the best team in the country by far now.”

Regardless of the fantastic shape Chelsea are in, Poyet wants to see Sunderland continue their recent improved fortunes and results by stunning the star-studded visitors.

"They're better than us technically, physically, without any doubt and they've been outstanding as a team so we need to be very strong mentally and of course have a good day as well,” he said. “If we don't cope with the inferiority complex then we've got no chance.

“You can combat that with your own mental strength, now that's not easy but it's a good feeling that we've been there and somehow we've done it so we have to go out there with belief and I don't want to think the other way round. It's a great chance and we're the ones with the opportunity now. Let's try.”

Winger Ricky Alvarez is available again for Sunderland after a calf injury but Poyet is in no mood to make major changes to a team which has collected five points from the last three matches – even if he is yet to name the same starting line-up in consecutive games this season.

“I’ve not named the same team twice in succession,” said Poyet, whose side face Manchester City and Liverpool after the visit of Chelsea.

“I hate that (being called tinkerman) because, from Saturday to Saturday, if the team does well, the team should stay the same.

“But you need to perform well to make sure that happens. I hated it at Chelsea when the manager always tinkered. It's called squad rotation but I hate that. Do you think if we beat Chelsea on Saturday, I'll change the team for Wednesday against Man City? No chance! The same team will definitely play, I promise that if we win."

Sunderland (4-1-4-1): Pantilimon; Vergini, O’Shea, Brown, Reveillere; Cattermole; Johnson, Larsson, Gomez, Wickham; Fletcher

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Azpilicueta; Matic, Fabregas; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Costa.