Man City vs Sunderland Preview: Team News & Prediction

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Manchester City have started the season well as they now welcome a stubborn and always competitive Sunderland side to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

Kick-off date/time: 20 September 2026 at 2:00 pm

How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports+ / USA – NBC

How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / USA – Peacock

Man City preview: Strong City

Manchester City come into this one on the back of six successive victories across all competitions since losing the Community Shield to Arsenal in Cardiff, with a 5-0 demolition of Norwich City in midweek in the third round of the EFL Cup.

Enzo Maresca and his City side controversially defeated rivals Manchester United in the Manchester Derby at Old Trafford last weekend with Erling Haaland’s winner having wrongly been allowed, as admitted by Pro Ref.

Sunderland preview: Stubborn Sunderland

Sunderland will always be a fierce and competitive, well-organised opponents for England’s elite, as they proved last season and last weekend, albeit they did eventually succumb to a 2-0 loss to defending champions Arsenal at the Stadium of Light.

Since that hard-fought defeat, The Black Cats have won their first European game in 53 years as they defeated AZ Alkmaar with a second half Enzo Le Fee penalty in the league phase of the UEFA Europa League on Wearside.

Man City team news: Foden suspended

After his red card for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes in retaliation to provocation from the Manchester United captain, Phil Foden is now missing through suspension for the hosts.

Rayan Cherki is expected to start after kicking up a bit of a fuss after being substituted at half-time for Iliman Ndiaye as a result of Foden’s sending off in the derby. Maresca said that Jeremy Doku 'probably' will be available.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guehi, O’Reilly; Fernandez, Anderson; Semenyo, Cherki, Ndiaye; Haaland

Unavailable: Foden (Suspended)

Questionable: Doku (Injured)

Sunderland team news: Reinildo suspended

Dayann Methalie always appeared to be the longer-term replacement for Reinildo at left-back and now the summer signing is expected to get a start with Reinildo missing through suspension after being sent off last weekend.

In terms of injury absentees, Senegal international midfielder Habib Diarra remains sidelined alongside young winger Romaine Mundle. Omar Alderete limped off against AZ.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Roefs; Meunier, Danso, Ballard, Methalie; Sadiki, Xhaka; N. Angulo, Le Fee, Fofana; Brobbey

Unavailable: Reinildo (Suspended), Diarra (Injured), Mundle (Injured)

Questionable: Alderete (Injured)

Man City vs Sunderland prediction

Manchester City are still searching for the outright control that Enzo Maresca desires but the Italian is an expert problem solver, as was the case in their 1-0 victory against United last weekend. They will fancy themselves to eventually work things out and get past what will likely be a stubborn Sunderland side, albeit it may not be the most convincing or high-scoring of clashes in East Manchester.

Man City vs Sunderland tip: Man City to win & under 3.5 goals