Manchester City vs Sunderland: Premier League Match Preview, Team News, H2H & How To Watch
Manchester City return to Premier League action on Saturday as they host high-flying Sunderland at the Etihad Stadium. With City pushing to keep pressure on league leaders and Sunderland unbeaten against every current top-six opponent this season, this clash promises far more tension than it appears on paper.
Team News
City remain without midfielder Mateo Kovacic, who continues recovering from heel surgery and will be sidelined well into the new year.
Rodri also remains out, having played just one minute since October’s victory over Brentford. Although he is progressing, Pep Guardiola confirmed he still needs time to regain fitness.
Sunderland also face several injury concerns.
Habib Diarra remains unavailable with a long-term groin problem.
Dennis Cirkin, Leo Hjelde, and Aji Alese are expected to miss the match as they recover from injuries, and none are likely to be included due to lack of match fitness.
Recent Form & Match Context
Manchester City enter the fixture after back-to-back dramatic wins, including the chaotic 4-5 victory over Fulham. Despite leading 1-5 through goals from Phil Foden and a deflected Jeremy Doku effort, City needed a last-minute goal-line clearance from Josko Gvardiol to secure all three points.
Their inability to close out matches has become a topic of discussion—especially against a Sunderland side that has taken 12 of their 23 points from losing positions and remains unbeaten against all current top-six teams (three draws, one win).
For Pep Guardiola’s side, victory is crucial. A slip could see them fall to third place in the table, especially with Arsenal and Aston Villa facing off in a key match affecting the title race.
Pep Guardiola’s Conference Quotes
On Sunderland: “They deserve to be where they are… After 14 fixtures, against these opponents, to be in that position – they deserve it.”
On recent performances: “Of course, I don’t like to concede six goals in two games, but at the same time we are a team who has scored the most and we have to build from that.”
On Rodri’s recovery: “He’s getting better. I don’t know how long he’ll be out, but he’s at the stage that in a few years he’ll be ready.”
On City running a lot: “It’s not good! When you play better, you run less… What happened last season; we could run, but we didn’t run.”
Match Details
- Fixture: Manchester City vs Sunderland
- Date: Saturday, 6 December
- Kick-off: 15:00 (UK)
- Venue: Etihad Stadium
Match Officials
Andy Madley will take charge of the game. City have won 10 of the 14 matches he has refereed.
Statistics
- Granit Xhaka has lost more matches against Manchester City (15) than any other opponent.
- Sunderland were City’s final opponents at Maine Road in 2003 and the last team they beat at Hyde Road 80 years earlier.
- 12 of Sunderland’s 23 points have come from losing positions; 77% of their goals arrive in the second half.
- Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs has the league’s highest save percentage at 79.2%.
- Manchester City players cover more ground per match than any team in the league, averaging 115.3 km per game.
- City lead the league with 467 touches in the opposition box; Sunderland sit 18th with 260.
Head to Head
Manchester City have won their last seven matches against Sunderland, with a combined score of 20-7.
Sunderland’s last victory came in 2013, sealed by a Phil Bardsley strike.
In the Premier League era, City hold the advantage with 18 wins, 3 draws, and 5 defeats.
Their last meeting was in March 2017, where City won 0-2 via goals from Leroy Sane and Sergio Aguero.
Pep Guardiola has a perfect managerial record against Sunderland, winning both matches — including his first Premier League game, a 2-1 win.
How To Watch
The match will not be broadcast live in the UK due to the blackout on Saturday 3PM fixtures.
Fans can follow the game via live regional radio on BBC Radio Manchester.
Key Points
- Manchester City search for a third straight win after two chaotic matches.
- Sunderland are unbeaten against every current top-six side this season.
- Rodri and Kovacic remain unavailable for City.
- Sunderland miss multiple defenders and midfielders through injury.
- City have dominated this fixture historically, winning their last seven meetings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Rodri available for the match?
No. Pep Guardiola confirmed that Rodri is still recovering and not yet ready to return.
Why is the match not on UK TV?
It falls under the Saturday 3PM broadcast blackout, which prevents live television coverage.
How strong is Sunderland this season?
Very strong against top teams. They are unbeaten in all four matches against current top-six sides and have earned many points from losing positions.
What is Manchester City’s recent form?
They have won their last two games dramatically, scoring plenty but also conceding heavily, raising defensive concerns.
What is City’s head-to-head record vs Sunderland?
City have won their last seven meetings and hold a dominant record in the Premier League era.
Conclusion
Manchester City vs Sunderland is shaping up to be a far more competitive clash than expected. City need all three points to maintain pressure at the top of the table, while Sunderland arrive confident after strong performances against elite opponents. With injuries on both sides and recent defensive concerns for City, Saturday’s match promises tension, drama, and high stakes at the Etihad Stadium.
