Game Week 15 Predictions: Straight win City against Sunderland

Man City vs Sunderland Preview: Cityzens look to close gap on Arsenal, stubborn Black Cats eye Etihad upset. Haaland & Foden to shine, City to win.

Manchester City must beat Sunderland if they want to get closer to Arsenal on the log but, will the Black Cats let them? (Photo credit: Khel)

 Manchester City vs Sunderland

Etihad Stadium

4:00pm

We’re spoilt for choice in the 4pm fixtures, as we have the one at the Vitality between Chelsea and Bournemouth, Brentford’s trip to Spurs and this one at the Etihad.

Sunderland are stubborn; they don’t have respect for anyone, and you wonder what they have in store for the former champions. How will Manchester City approach this one? Will they attempt to bully the Black Cats, or will they stay cautious?

Sunderland has just one win in their last five games; that was the sensational 3-2 comeback win over Bournemouth. But they have only one loss in that run as well, which was the 1-0 loss at Fulham. Manchester City cannot overlook them.

The Black Cats earned a point at Anfield in midweek and were almost going to pick up maximum points if not for a late run from Federico Chiesa to clear the ball off the line at the death. Once again, the Cityzens cannot underrate Sunderland.

Pep Guardiola was cautious in his presser; he knows he must win this one, as it could also represent a significant advantage with Arsenal at Villa earlier in the day. Should the Gunners drop points in the early kickoff, City could go within two points of Arsenal.

Guardiola confirms he’s not expecting Rodri back until after Christmas, as he doesn’t want to rush him back after his recurring knee problems. The Spaniard will also lose Rayan Ait Nouri and Omar Marmoush to AFCON in the coming days.

Manchester City played out a nine-goal thriller at Fulham in midweek; it was a fascinating one to see but must be worrying for Guardiola, who saw his side concede four against the Lilywhites. He must find solutions to his defence that doesn’t look an inch assured anymore.

Sunderland will be compact. They know how to move the ball up the pitch and stay disciplined when they don’t have the ball. They could be dangerous on the counter as well if the hosts don’t manage possession very well in the Sunderland area.

City will unleash Erling Haaland as usual, and with Phil Foden enjoying the form of his life, Sunderland will have so much to deal with, and depending on who Guardiola selects on the other wing as he continues to manage his squad, Regis Le Bris must be ready for anything.

Verdict: Manchester City to win.