Manchester City aim to close the gap at the top against high-flying Sunderland

Manchester City welcomes Sunderland to the Etihad on Saturday afternoon.

The Citizens survived a midweek late scare at Fulham as they won 5-4 in a nine-goal thriller on Tuesday night.

The Black Cats battled to a 1-1 draw at Liverpool on Wednesday night, continuing their impressive start to the Premier League campaign.

Match preview

Manchester City have won their last six Premier League games against Sunderland, with this the first meeting since a 2-0 away win in March 2017.

Sunderland have never won away in 13 attempts against Manchester City in the Premier League (D2 L11). Their last away top-flight win there was in December 1981 at Maine Road.

The Citizens have never lost a Premier League game at the Etihad against Sunderland in 11 meetings (W9 D2).

No team has won more points from losing positions in the Premier League than Sunderland this season (12, level with Aston Villa). Only in 1999/00 (15) and 2000/01 (13) have the Black Cats won more points from behind in a single campaign.

Pep Guardiola’s side have won 24 of their last 26 Premier League games against promoted sides (D2), with their last such defeat coming at home to Leeds in April 2021.

City have won 11 of their last 12 Premier League home games, including each of the last six in a row.

Manchester City have conceded eight goals in their last three Premier League games, as many as they had in their previous 12 combined.

Team news

Manchester City

The hosts are still without midfield duo Mateo Kovacic and Rodri.

Sunderland

Summer signing Habib Diarra is the only absentee with a groin problem.

Predicted line-ups

Manchester City: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Matheus Nunes, Rúben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Nico O’Reilly, Nico González, Bernardo Silva, Tijjani Reijnders, Phil Foden, Jérémy Doku, Erling Haaland.

Sunderland: Robin Roefs, Trai Hume, Nordi Mukiele, Omar Alderete, Reinildo, Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki, Enzo Le Fée, Bertrand Traoré, Chemsdine Talbi, Wilson Isidor.