Premier League, Round 5Manchester CityMCI 20/09/2026 14:00 SunderlandSUN Venue Etihad Stadium Referee Robert JonesTable of ContentsPreview for Manchester City v SunderlandThe Premier League TableTeam News for Manchester City v SunderlandExpected line-ups for Manchester City v SunderlandRecent Form & Stats for Manchester City v SunderlandWhere to Watch Manchester City v Sunderland: TV and online streamsPrediction for Manchester City v SunderlandPreview for Manchester City v SunderlandEnzo Maresca has warned Sunderland will give Manchester City their stiffest test of the season. City have won every one of their six outings so far, including four in the Premier League to sit top of the table alongside defending champions Arsenal.Sunderland won 2-1 at Chelsea last season when Maresca was Blues boss and the Italian knows the Wearsiders, fresh from their 1-0 Europa League victory over AZ Alkmaar, will be dangerous opponents.I watched them the last two days, three or four games. I know them, how strong they are, and have the feeling we need a top performance to beat them, be 100% to win. I watched the game live against Arsenal [in last Saturdays 2-0 defeat], then again the last two days. If you watch, you can realise how strong they are. I think personally that they didnt deserve to lose that game, he said.They are very strong, very well coached. They already have time together, you see what they want to do on and off the ball. My feeling is on Sunday it will be the toughest game since the start of the season. If you watch them, you are not surprised [at how well they have done], because you will realise how good they are, on the ball, off the ball, how aggressive they are, the amount of duels that they win every game.The team got promoted then [qualify for] Europe, you are surprised but if you watch, you are not surprised because you realise how good they are. But in front of our fans, its always nice and special, so much better here than away. Its important in case we win, its one more. But I have the feeling Sunderland will be the toughest since we started the season.City havent always been at their sparkling best this season as the players get to understand Marescas methods after several years under Pep Guardiola.He added: They [the wins] have been more or less all different. [Against] Bournemouth, we kept fighting until the end. Palace away was a very good performance on and off the ball. We were very good. I think its always wins [that] help you to become better. But for sure, Bournemouth, the way we won, has been very important.Sunderland will head to the Etihad in confident mood after the euphoria of their successful return to Europe. And boss Regis Le Bris was eager to stress the quality of his squad rather than worry too much about their expensively assembled visitors.Manchester City have players everywhere, smiled the Frenchman. So if we start looking at their strength, we cant play. Its better to focus on us, how can we manage their threat and how we can create threat as well? I think we are getting better in this area.The Premier League Table Premier League 2026 England #TeamPlayedWonDrawnLostGFGAGDPtsLast 4 1 Arsenal440081712 W W W W 2 Manchester City440082612 W W W W 3 Leeds42207348 W D D W 4 Hull City42205238 D D W W 5 Brighton421113587 W D L W 6 Chelsea421110917 D L W W 7 Brentford41307436 D D D W 8 Liverpool41306426 D W D D 9 Everton41305326 D D D W 10 Ipswich4202710-36 W L L W 11 Nottingham Forest41214405 W D D L 12 Newcastle412178-15 L D W D 13 Manchester United41127704 L D W L 14 Sunderland411235-24 L D W L 15 Bournemouth403167-13 D D D L 16 Crystal Palace4103611-53 L W L L 17 Tottenham402205-52 D D L L 18 Fulham401347-31 D L L L 19 Aston Villa401317-61 L D L L 20 Coventry4004010-100 L L L L Position 1, 2, 3, 4 : Promotion Champions League (League phase) Position 5 : Promotion Europa League (League phase) Position 18, 19, 20 : Relegation Championship Team News for Manchester City v SunderlandPhil Foden is suspended following his red card in the Manchester derby but Jeremy Doku is probably fit enough to be involved, according to Maresca.Sunderland left-back Reinildo is also banned with France Under-21 international Dayann Methalie set to make his first Premier League start. Romaine Mundle (knee) and Habib Diarra (hamstring) are sidelined. Expected line-ups for Manchester City v SunderlandManchester City: Donnarumma; Nunes, Guehi, Dias, Gvardiol; Anderson, Fernandez, Semenyo, Cherki, Ndiaye; HaalandSunderland: Roefs; Mukiele, Alderete, Ballard, Methalie; Xhaka, Sadiki, Le Fee, Meunier, Talbi; BrobbeyRecent Form & Stats for Manchester City v SunderlandCity striker Erling Haaland has faced 25 Premier League teams and scored against 24 of them. Sunderland are the odd one out.City have kept a clean sheet in each of their last four matches in all competitionsCity have lost just two of their last 30 Premier League gamesSunderland have not won any of their 14 Premier League trips to Manchester CityCity won the corresponding fixture last season 3-0 Recent Results : Manchester City League Cup Manchester City MCI W 5 0 2026-09-17 Norwich NOR Premier League Manchester United MUN W 0 1 2026-09-13 Manchester City MCI UEFA Champions League FC Porto POR W 0 2 2026-09-08 Manchester City MCI Premier League Manchester City MCI W 1 0 2026-09-05 Coventry COV Premier League Crystal Palace CRY W 1 4 2026-08-28 Manchester City MCI Recent Results : Sunderland UEFA Europa League Sunderland SUN W 1 0 2026-09-16 AZ Alkmaar ALK Premier League Sunderland SUN L 0 2 2026-09-12 Arsenal ARS League Cup Sunderland SUN W 1 0 2026-09-08 Hull City HUL Premier League Brentford BRE D 1 1 2026-09-05 Sunderland SUN Premier League Sunderland SUN W 1 0 2026-08-30 Fulham FUL Where to Watch Manchester City v Sunderland: TV and online streamsManchester City versus Sunderland kicks off at 2pm on Sunday afternoon. You can watch the game as part of Sky Sports Super Sunday and stream via the Sky Go app.Global broadcast details can be found atpremierleague.com.Prediction for Manchester City v SunderlandCity were able to rest most of their big names for the midweek EFL Cup win over Norwich while Sunderlands victory over AZ Alkmaar was physically and mentally draining.Add in Citys superior quality and they should win this at a canter. Match PredictionManchester City 3 0 Sunderland Topics Erling Haaland Manchester City F.C. Sunderland A.F.C. 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