City held on for a 5-4 win at Fulham last time
Sunderland drew 1-1 at Liverpool on Wednesday
Recommended bet: Sunderland +1.5 handicap
Sunderland thoroughly enjoyed their trip to Liverpool on Wednesday when they were unlucky to only get a point, but now they face a much tougher test back in the north-west at Man City.
Regis Le Bris' side were outstanding at Anfield where they drew 1-1 and have lost only three times all season and they certainly will not fear a Citizens side who are blowing hot and cold at the moment as they try to keep pace with leaders Arsenal.
The latest Man City vs Sunderland odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
City are still without midfielders Rodri and Mateo Kovacic and Pep Guardiola may want to freshen things up at the end of a busy week, with the likes of John Stones, Rayan Cherki and Savinho hoping for recalls.
Sunderland's options are less plentiful, though Dennis Cirkin and Leo Hjelde are close to a return after lay-offs.
Bertrand Traore or Simon Adingra could come in for the Black Cats, while Wilson Isidor, who came off the bench at Anfield, may well get the nod through the middle.
The stats
City have kept only one clean sheet in nine and conceded 10 goals in their last four matches.
Sunderland have lost only one of their last seven culminating in Wednesday's 1-1 draw at Liverpool.
Erling Haaland has scored 33 goals in 24 appearances for City and Norway in 2025/26. In those 24 games he has only failed to find the net in five of them.
Sunderland have scored the fewest first-half goals this season (5), while City have scored the most (16).
The latest Man City vs Sunderland odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Liverpool were too short a price to be trusted at home to Le Bris' hugely impressive side and the same applies to Man City.
The Citizens are in better form than the Reds, have more goals in them and have had an extra 24 hours than the Black Cats to prepare for this showdown, but they are still too short.
The way they fell apart in the second half of both this week's games - the 3-2 win over Leeds and 5-4 win at Fulham - only adds to the idea that City are some way from their majestic best.
And Sunderland are nobody's soft touch.
Granted, they pick up most of their points at the Stadium of Light, but they have been to Crystal Palace and Liverpool this season and picked up impressive draws and, of course, deservedly won 2-1 at Chelsea.
Le Bris has got them playing a way that is hard to beat and expect a similarly well-organised, highly disciplined effort at The Etihad.
Sunderland landed handicap glory at Anfield and take them to do the same at the Etihad Stadium.
