The last time these teams met in early December, Manchester City secured a comfortable 3-0 victory at the Etihad.
This Thursday, the context shifts as an in-form City side travels to face a Sunderland team that remains undefeated at the Stadium of Light this season.
It's a Premier League clash on Thursday, January 1, 2026, as Pep Guardiola's men look to maintain pressure on league leaders Arsenal, while Regis Le Bris's Sunderland aim to prove their top-seven place is no fluke.
📈Team Form📉
🏠🔴 Sunderland: Seventh in the Premier League with 28 points from 18 matches.
✈️🔵 Manchester City: Second in the Premier League table with 40 points.
📊Key Stats & Head-to-Head 📊
🔥 Manchester City are on a six-match Premier League winning streak.
🔥 Sunderland are unbeaten in nine league games at the Stadium of Light this season.
🔥 Man City have won their last seven Premier League matches against Sunderland.
🔥 City have won 19 of the 26 Premier League meetings between these sides.
🔬 What to Expect From Both Teams 🔥
🏠Sunderland | Form: W🟢D🟡L🔴W🟢D🟡D🟡
Defying all preseason expectations, Sunderland have been a tough team to break down, especially at home. They have already held Aston Villa and Arsenal to draws at the Stadium of Light.
Their challenge will be coping with significant absences due to the Africa Cup of Nations duty, which will test their squad depth against the reigning champions.
🌫️Manchester City | Form: W🟢W🟢W🟢W🟢W🟢W🟢
City are in ominous form and have solidified their challenge on all fronts. A victory on Wearside could see them close the gap at the top of the table to just two points.
Pep Guardiola's side combines tactical astuteness with a clinical edge and will be confident of extending their winning run, despite acknowledging the tough test Sunderland presents.
👥 Predicted Lineups 👥
🏠Sunderland (possible):
Roefs, Hume, Mukiele, Alderete, Cirkin, Xhaka, Geertruida, Rigg, Le Fee, Adingra, Brobbey.
✈️Manchester City (possible):
Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Silva, Gonzalez, Reijnders, Cherki, Foden, Haaland.
🔥 Matchups & Players to Watch 👀
✨ Erling Haaland — The league's top scorer aims to find the net on his first Premier League visit to the Stadium of Light.
✨ Rayan Cherki — The French playmaker is City's joint-leading assist provider and has been in outstanding creative form.
✨ Wilson Isidor — With three of his four league goals coming at home, he is Sunderland's most likely scoring threat.
✨ Granit Xhaka — His experience and set-piece delivery will be crucial for the Black Cats.
💵 Odds Market on MSport 💵
💵 Sunderland/Home to win = 7.79
💵 Manchester City/Away to win = 1.43
💵 Both teams to score (GG/NG Yes) = 1.91
💵 Over 2.5 total goals = 1.66
This clash presents a battle of resilience versus momentum: a confident City side, with a superb winning run, faces a stubborn Sunderland team determined to protect its formidable home record.
With history heavily favouring the visitors but the hosts full of belief, the Stadium of Light is set for a compelling New Year's Day fixture.
Who do you think will take the points? Tell us your prediction in the comments.
🔗 You can follow the Sunderland vs Manchester City game here on MSport.
#Sunderland #ManCity #Manchester #City #EPL #PremierLeague #LeBris #Guardiola #StadiumOfLight #Haaland #Pep #Berando #Cherki #Foden #Xhaka
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