3 bold (and likely wrong) predictions for Man City vs. Sunderland
Manchester City could cement its spot atop the English Premier League before the first international break of the season as Arsenal fell to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday. If City can just get past Sunderland on Sunday, the break will be a nice feeling for fans and players.
Still, this is the EPL we are talking about, and anything can happen. Like, literally anything. Brighton is good, for instance, but 3-0 against Arsenal, with the former side dominating the latter? Few could have guessed that match would be so profound in its narrative.
Could the same happen when Man City takes on Sunderland at 14:00 BST at Etihad Stadium? Definitely. But let's hope it doesn't. Or wait...maybe we should hope for the best.
Bold predictions for Manchester City and Sunderland
Erling Haaland doesn't score but plenty of others do
Haaland has played twice against Sunderland in EPL play and hasn't scored. For the elite talent that the Norwegian is, that is nearly shocking. He has scored and dominated against nearly every other team trying to steal Man City's glory, but Sunderland has shown to be Haaland's kryptonite.
He won't score again against Sunderland, though that will be the latter's only good feeling. City will still dispatch their opponents with ease, 3-0. Only one goal will be scored before the half, though, and that will come from Phil Foden. (Joking! He can't play due to a silly red card against the weak Manchester United. Instead, Antoine Semenyo will begin the scoring with a goal in the 24th minute.
Jeremy Doku plays 70 minutes
Doku was injured during the relatively meaningless Community Shield, and he has missed out on all the fun of Enzo Maresca's 6-0 start. He won't this time around. While the manager said that Doku will "probably" play against Sunderland, the guess here is that he does plenty.
What better way to come back and perform impactfully? That is exactly what the Belgian will do. He won't score a goal, but his speed and control of the ball will put enough fear in those trying to stop him that it opens up avenues for him to distribute crossers with ease.
Nico O'Reilly is the Man of the Match
O'Reilly hasn't had much to show for his three appearances in EPL play so far. No goals and no assists, and even though he is faster than most other humans, he hasn't translated that speed into being overly effective on the pitch.
That will change against Sunderland, as he will have two goals, and give himself and Blues fans hope for what follows the international break. Plus, O'Reilly's brilliance will make sure that Man City is at the top of the table until league play resumes near the middle of October.
