Five things to look out for – Sunderland vs Manchester City

Manchester Metropolis start 2026 with a visit to face excessive flying Sunderland within the Premier League.

The Blues ended the yr in superb type, successful eight video games in a row in all competitions, however they face a troublesome check in opposition to Regis le Bris’s facet who haven’t misplaced at residence within the Premier League all season.

Listed below are 5 issues to look out for on the Stadium of Mild:

Doku – will he be again within the matchday squad?

Pep Guardiola mentioned in his pre-match press convention that Jeremy Doku might be set to return to the matchday squad after a number of weeks out injured.

Metropolis’s quantity 11 picked up a muscle harm after the 2-1 win away to Actual Madrid at the start of December, with the preliminary analysis together with an anticipated return on New Yr’s Day.

He hasn’t been pictured in coaching since, however Guardiola mentioned it was nonetheless a chance that Doku would return in opposition to the Black Cats.

The bench has been sparse in current weeks with Oscar Bobb, John Stones and Mateo Kovacic injured, with Rodri solely not too long ago returning and Omar Marmoush and Rayan Ait-Nouri on the Africa Cup of Nations.

If he’s match sufficient, subsequently, I anticipate him to be introduced straight again into the squad to fill a spot on the bench at the least.

A special Sunderland setup from the reverse fixture

On the Etihad Stadium in December, Sunderland sat extremely deep out of possession in a 5-4-1 formation. They have been clearly enjoying for a degree, as they’ve executed efficiently in opposition to Arsenal and Liverpool to date this season.

However on the Stadium of Mild I anticipate them to be a bit extra ahead pondering. Like Metropolis, they’re impacted by AFCON and received’t be at full energy however their residence benefit means they’ll be extra inclined to be on the entrance foot.

They’ve wonderful gamers in good type, and in addition to Metropolis have performed over the previous few months they’ve confirmed they’re succesful sufficient to trigger the Blues issues by going at them.

A little bit of rotation earlier than Chelsea

After an honest relaxation, Metropolis have two video games in 4 days as they face Chelsea this Sunday.

Issues are up within the air about supervisor Enzo Maresca’s future, with the previous Metropolis assistant supervisor reportedly sad with the best way Chelsea are run and their switch technique.

However, Chelsea have good gamers and have the capabilities to trigger enormous points for Guardiola’s crew.

The likes of Savinho, Nathan Ake and even Rico Lewis might be in line for a begin in opposition to Sunderland to relaxation a number of of the extra common first crew starters forward of Sunday’s affair.

Do Metropolis adapt in (potential) ultimate recreation earlier than Semenyo?

The January switch window has simply opened and already it seems that Metropolis have accomplished their first deal.

Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo, who has a £65 million launch clause, has reportedly rejected approaches from Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United in an effort to seal a transfer to Metropolis, who’re anticipating to wrap the deal up shortly.

In current weeks, Metropolis’s wingers have tucked in extraordinarily slim, to permit the likes of Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki to get into the pockets that they thrive in.

Semenyo is extra of a large ahead, although he may function centrally if wanted. It’ll be attention-grabbing to see if Metropolis utilise an strategy with wider forwards now Semenyo seems to be heading via the door, or whether or not the Ghanaian ahead will likely be maybe pressured right into a place he has much less expertise in.

Lastly… the return of Rodri?

In the end, Metropolis have Rodri again within the squad.

He has spent the vast majority of the final 15 months injured, recovering for a brief time period at the start of the season earlier than struggling a hamstring harm in October that dominated him out for almost three months.

However Guardiola has mentioned many instances that a big interval of that point on the sidelines was precautionary; they wish to be sure that there will likely be no re-occurrences of the 2024 Ballon D’or winner’s muscular issues.

He’ll should be phased again in gently in an effort to protect his health while build up match sharpness, and Nico Gonzalez is doing an excellent job in his absence so there’ll be no rush.

At his greatest Rodri is the most effective on this planet in his place although, so getting him again to his greatest will likely be invaluable for Metropolis within the second half of the season.