Sunderland
VS
Manchester City
Sunderland vs Manchester City : England: Premier League
Match Preview & Analysis
Sunderland vs Manchester City: A Clash of Titans on New Year's Day
The highly anticipated Premier League match between Sunderland and Manchester City is set to take place on Thursday, 01 January 2026, at the Stadium of Light. As both teams look to start the new year on a high note, the stakes are high, and the tension is palpable. With Manchester City being the clear favorites, Sunderland will need to dig deep and put up a strong fight to claim a victory. The current situation sees Sunderland dealing with multiple injuries and international duty absences, while Manchester City also has its share of concerns. This match promises to be an exciting encounter, with both teams eager to make a statement in the Premier League.
Match Details
- Competition: England Premier League
- Venue: Stadium of Light, Sunderland
- Kick-off: 20:00 UTC
- Referee: None
Current Form
Sunderland's recent form has been a mixed bag, with a record of WLWDDWLWWDDLWDLWDD. Despite showing glimpses of brilliance, they have struggled to maintain consistency, which could be a major concern against a strong opponent like Manchester City. On the other hand, Manchester City has been on a tear, with an impressive away record of WLLWDWWWLWWLWWWWWW. Their ability to win on the road will be a significant factor in this match.Team News & Predicted Lineups
Sunderland News: The Black Cats will be without A. Alese due to a shoulder injury, while H. Diarra, R. Mandava, A. Masuaku, N. Sadiki, C. Talbi, and B. Traore are all away on international duty. D. Ballard is also questionable with an ankle injury. Despite these absentees, Sunderland's predicted XI could look like: Patterson, Cirkin, Ballard (if fit), Batth, Hume, Pritchard, Evans, Neil, Roberts, Clarke, and Stewart. Manchester City News: The Citizens will be missing R. Ait Nouri, O. Bobb, M. Kovacic, O. Marmoush, and J. Stones due to various injuries and international duty. J. Doku is also questionable with a leg injury. Manchester City's predicted XI could be: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Laporte, Rodriguez, Silva, Rodri, De Bruyne, Mahrez, Haaland, and Alvarez.Head-to-Head
The head-to-head history between Sunderland and Manchester City is heavily skewed in favor of the Citizens. Their last meeting ended in a convincing 3-0 win for Manchester City, and they will be looking to replicate that performance. The rivalry between these two teams has been relatively one-sided, with Manchester City often coming out on top.Tactical Analysis
This match is likely to be a battle of wingplay vs low block, with Manchester City's pacey wingers looking to exploit Sunderland's defense. Sunderland, on the other hand, will likely employ a low-block approach, trying to absorb the pressure and catch Manchester City on the counter. Manchester City's ability to break down Sunderland's defense will be crucial, while the Black Cats' effectiveness in transitions could be their best chance of scoring.Match Prediction
Given the current form and team news, it's difficult to look beyond a Manchester City win. Their squad depth and quality should prove too much for Sunderland, who are dealing with multiple injuries and absences. A predicted scoreline of 3-1 in favor of Manchester City seems likely, with the Citizens' attacking prowess ultimately proving to be the difference. However, football is known for its unpredictability, and Sunderland will be hoping to pull off a major upset on their home turf.Team Form
Sunderland
DLWDD
Last 5: DLWDD
Manchester City
WWWWW
Last 5: WWWWW
Head to Head
Last result: Manchester City 3 - 0 Sunderland
Match Predictions
🏆 Winner: Manchester City (None)
⚽ Goals: -1.5
🎯 Advice: Winner : Manchester City