Man City v Sunderland: Prediction, Preview and Probable Lineup
Man City look to end September with another victory as they welcome Sunderland to the Etihad Stadium. What a start to the season we've had! Since the Community Shield, the Blues have won every game, including the Manchester derby where we played with 10 men for 70 minutes!
I was confident in our ability to win all of our games this month, but to actually do it is another thing entirely. We still have to beat Sunderland, who are more than capable of causing us problems, but what a start to Enzo Maresa's reign this would be!
After making wholesale changes for City's demolition of Norwich in the Carabao Cup, Maresca is likely to revert to a similar side to that which faced United. Phil Foden is suspended, but Jeremy Doku might be fit to play a part in this one.
It's likely, though, that Antoine Semenyo will continue on the left, with Iliman Ndiaye on the right wing.
Let's start at the back. Gianluigi Donnarumma will certainly take up his place between the sticks. Matheus Nunes will probably start at right back, although Abdukodir Khusanov will be pushing for that spot. At the heart of our defence will almost certainly be Ruben Dias and Marc Guehi.
Who plays left back is slightly less clear. With Nico O' Reilly's return, Maresca may decide to put him in at left back and take Josko Gvardiol out. For me, both play, with Gvardiol at left back and O' Reilly playing further forward.
It's Rayan Cherki's place I think O' Reilly takes. A midfield three of Enzo Fernandez, Elliot Anderson and Nico O' Reilly is what I'm expecting, with Cherki on the bench.
Erling Haaland, of course, will start up front. Haaland will be looking to add to the six goals he's scored already this season. City's star man hasn't actually scored against Sunderland since the Mackem's return to the top flight, a record he'll be keen to fix on Sunday.
Man City predicted lineup vs Sunderland:
Gianluigi Donnarumma, Matheus Nunes, Ruben Dias, Marc Guehi, Josko Gvardiol, Enzo Fernandez, Elliot Anderson, Nico O'Reilly, Antoine Semenyo, Iliman Ndiaye, Erling Haaland
Not a bad lineup at all that! While Sunderland can cause us problems, it's a game we should win. We beat the Black Cats 3-0 in last season's corresponding fixture, a similar scoreline wouldn't surprise me one jot.
