Sunderland v Manchester City – The Opposition

Manchester Metropolis intention to start out 2026 in the identical method they completed 2025, as they journey to Sunderland on Thursday night. The Blues loved a 100% file in December, navigating a probably troublesome sequence of matches with ease, and tackle the Premier League’s new boys, who’re a little bit of a shock package deal this season.

The Black Cats had been pre-season relegation favourites, however sit seventh within the desk and eyeing a spot in Europe subsequent season. Victory for them will see the brand new boys leapfrog Manchester United and Chelsea, relying on theie outcomes on Tuesday night.

Regardless of their lofty place within the desk, Sunderland’s type has waned somewhat over November and December. The Black Cats have recorded simply two wins in 9 matches, however have additionally solely misplaced two and drawing the opposite 5.

Sunderland have held Arsenal (2-2) at dwelling and Liverpool (1-1) at Anfield, however misplaced at Fulham and Metropolis. Nonetheless, they’ve a formidable file at dwelling, successful 5 and drawing 4 of their 9 matches on the Stadium of Gentle, and are the second workforce to be unbeaten at dwelling after Arsenal.

They’ve scored 16 targets at dwelling this season, and conceded simply eight. Their final dwelling victory was a 1-0 win over Newcastle, however their final outing on dwelling soil ended 1-1 with Leeds United. Their greatest dwelling victory was a 3-0 win over West Ham on the opening day of the season, and have stored three clear sheets this season.

Wilson Isidor is Sunderland’s high scorer this season with 4 targets. He has had 31 makes an attempt at objective, scoring on common each 237 minutes. His final objective got here in a 2-1 win at Chelsea in October, whereas his final dwelling objective was a Seventy fifth-minute equaliser in opposition to Aston Villa in September.

Chemsdine Talbi has two targets, as does Enzo Le Payment, Brian Brobbey and Dan Ballard.

Former Arsenal star Granit Xhaka is the principle risk from midfield. the Swiss worldwide joined the Black Cats in July 2025 from Bayer Leverkusen and has to date racked up 5 assists from 18 matches. Xhaka has created 23 possibilities, tried 932 passes, finishing 775 and has a go accuracy of 83%.

Le Payment has three assists from 17 matches and has created 24 possibilities. he has tried 450 passes, 357 of which have been profitable, and has a go accuracy of 79%.

French boss Regis Le Bris is the person main the Sunderland cost. Having arrived on the Stadium of Gentle in the summertime of 2024, Le Bris achieved promotion by way of the play-offs, returning Sunderland to the Premier League after an absence of 8 years.

Le Bris has taken cost of 70 matches as Sunderland boss, successful 30 and shedding 18, giving him a win ratio of 43%.

On fifth March 2017, Pep Guardiola took his Metropolis facet to the Stadium of Gentle and walked away with a 2-0 victory. Sergio Aguero gave Metropolis the lead within the forty second minute, earlier than Leroy Sane secured the three factors after 59 minutes.