Sunderland Face Uphill Battle Against Dominant Man City: Match Preview, Bold Predictions and Expected Lineups
Manchester City are looking to close the gap to just two points behind Premier League table-toppers Arsenal when they face impressive Sunderland on New Year's Day.
Arsenal's commanding performance against Aston Villa on Tuesday has stretched their advantage over Pep Guardiola's squad, but City won't be concerned as they look to make it nine consecutive victories in all competitions.
The eight-time Premier League winners are in excellent form and will enter as favorites to start 2026 with three points when they meet Sunderland. Their defensive solidity has improved recently while maintaining a devastating attacking arsenal.
City's offensive prowess was evident in their 3–0 triumph over the Black Cats in early December when Rayan Cherki started his impressive run of form, though it's Erling Haaland who will worry Régis Le Bris most on Thursday evening.
Sunderland's progress has stalled somewhat in recent weeks, yet they remain seventh in the standings and could leapfrog Chelsea and Manchester United with an upset victory over City. With a perfect home league record, they'll certainly challenge Guardiola's team.
Here is Sports Illustrated's preview of the Wearside encounter.
What Time Does Sunderland vs. Man City Kick Off?
Sunderland vs. Man City Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)
Current Form (All Competitions)
Sunderland | Man City |
|---|---|
Sunderland 1–1 Leeds - 28/12/25 | Nottingham Forest 1–2 Man City - 27/12/25 |
Brighton 0–0 Sunderland - 20/12/25 | Man City 3–0 West Ham - 20/12/25 |
Sunderland 1–0 Newcastle - 14/12/25 | Man City 2–0 Brentford - 17/12/25 |
Man City 3–0 Sunderland - 06/12/25 | Crystal Palace 0–3 Man City - 14/12/25 |
Liverpool 1–1 Sunderland - 03/12/25 | Real Madrid 1–2 Man City - 10/12/25 |
How to Watch Sunderland vs. Man City on TV, Live Stream
Country | TV Channel/Live Stream |
|---|---|
United Kingdom | Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Ultra HD, Sky GO, Sky GO Extra |
United States | USA Network, NBC Sports App, nbcsports.com |
Canada | DAZN Canada, fuboTV Canada, Fubo Sports Network 3 Canada |
Mexico | Max Mexico, TNT Sports, TNT Go |
Sunderland Team News
Sunderland face the biggest impact from the Africa Cup of Nations with six players unavailable for City's arrival. Habib Diarra, Reinildo, Arthur Masuaku, Noah Sadiki, Chemsdine Talbi and Bertrand Traoré are all absent for the Black Cats.
Aji Alese remains out through injury, while Dan Ballard is questionable after missing the Leeds United stalemate with an ankle problem.
Luke O'Nien returns to availability following his three-game suspension for his red card at the Etihad Stadium, while Wilson Isidor might replace Brian Brobbey in the starting eleven.
Sunderland Predicted Lineup vs. Man City
Sunderland predicted lineup vs. Man City (4-2-3-1): Roefs; Hume, Mukiele, Alderete, Cirkin; Xhaka, Geertruida; Rigg, Le Fée, Adingra; Isidor.
Man City Team News
City have fewer AFCON absences but are still without two key left-wing options as Rayan Aït-Nouri and Omar Marmoush represent Algeria and Egypt respectively. Jérémy Doku's injury further limits Guardiola's choices on that side.
Oscar Bobb is likely to miss the Sunderland trip with a hamstring issue picked up in the Carabao Cup quarter-final, joining Mateo Kovačić and John Stones on the sidelines.
Rodri made the bench against Nottingham Forest but didn't feature and seems unlikely to start at Wearside, suggesting another appearance for Nico González in the holding midfield role.
Man City Predicted Lineup vs. Sunderland
Man City predicted lineup vs. Sunderland (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Lewis, Dias, Gvardiol, O'Reilly; González, Reijnders; Savinho, Cherki, Foden; Haaland.
Sunderland vs. Man City Score Prediction
Sunderland's perfect home league record faces a severe challenge as the in-form Citizens visit. Guardiola's side are regaining their championship form after a challenging 2024–25 season and have excelled defensively and offensively in recent fixtures. They possess superior quality for the Black Cats.
Sunderland have already earned points against Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool this season, but they'll struggle more without their African players. A depleted squad faces its biggest test against Guardiola's flying team.
Prediction: Sunderland 0–1 Man City