Manchester City host high-flying Sunderland today in a Premier League encounter that will kick-off at 3:00 pm local time. In the United States, that means a start time 10:00 am Eastern Standard Time and 7:00 am Pacific Standard Time.
For the hosts, the game represents an opportunity to keep the pressure on league leaders Arsenal. City will go into their tie with Sunderland knowing Arsenal's result in their early kick-off against Unai Emery's in-form Aston Villa. The result of this game at the Etihad, however, looks to be far from the foregone conclusion many may have predicted before the start of the season.
Sunderland have been one of the stories of the season so far, with the Black Cats sitting in 6th spot just one point off fourth place heading into Matchday 15. Their performance at Anfield gave further evidence that this isn't just a side riding their luck. Regis Le Bris' team dominated possession for spells of the game on Merseyside, and nearly took all three points when, in the last minute, Wilson Isidor rounded 'keeper Alisson on the counter-attack before seeing his effort blocked on the line by the chasing Federico Chiesa.
Currently, City's biggest headache is the defensive instability that threatens to derail their title hopes. Their incredible 5-4 victory over Fulham in midweek was exciting for the neutrals but unlikely to have impressed Guardiola whose side were, at one stage, leading 5-1. The game did, however, see striker Erling Haaland bag his 100th Premier League and with their Norwegian talisman leading the line, City has the chance to win every time they take to the field.
How to watch and live stream Man City vs Sunderland
The only way to watch Manchester City versus Sunderland here in the United States is with a Peacock Premium subscription.
Plans cost $12.99 per month and give access to all Premier League games. While some aren't shown live on the platform - instead being aired on NBC's network channels - all games are available on-demand after the final whistle.
Manchester City vs Sunderland Team news & squads
Manchester City vs Sunderland Probable lineups
4-3-3
Formation
5-4-1
SUNProbable lineup
Substitutes
Manager
P. Guardiola
Probable lineup
Substitutes
Manager
R. Le Bris
Injuries and Suspended players
Injuries and Suspensions
Injuries and Suspensions
Manchester City team news
City's defensive instability hasn't been helped by the continued absence of midfield lynchpin Rodri. He, along with Kovacic, will remain sidelined for this game.
In better news for Guardiola, John Stones and Ruben Dias are both expected to be available for selection.
Sunderland team news
Regis Le Bris has close to a fully-fit squad to choose from with the only absentees being Aji Alese and Habib Diarra. Both players are expected to be back among contention next week.
Form
MCI-Form
MCIFulham
4
-
5
Manchester City
W
Manchester City
3
-
2
Leeds
W
Manchester City
0
-
2
Bayer Leverkusen
L
Newcastle United
2
-
1
Manchester City
L
Manchester City
3
-
0
Liverpool
W
- Goal Scored (Conceded)
- 12/10
- Games over 2.5 goals
- 4/5
- Both teams scored
- 3/5
SUN-Form
SUNLiverpool
1
-
1
Sunderland
D
Sunderland
3
-
2
Bournemouth
W
Fulham
1
-
0
Sunderland
L
Sunderland
2
-
2
Arsenal
D
Sunderland
1
-
1
Everton
D
- Goal Scored (Conceded)
- 7/7
- Games over 2.5 goals
- 2/5
- Both teams scored
- 4/5
Head-to-Head Record
MCILast 5 matches
SUN5
Wins
0
Draws
0
Wins
Sunderland
0
-
2
Manchester City
Manchester City
2
-
1
Sunderland
Sunderland
0
-
1
Manchester City
Manchester City
4
-
1
Sunderland
Sunderland
1
-
4
Manchester City
Goals scored
3- Games over 2.5 goals
- 3/5
- Both teams scored
- 3/5