Manchester City take on Sunderland looking to close the gap on Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table.
Pep Guardiola’s side sit second going into the weekend, five points adrift of the leaders, who beat Brentford 2-0 on Wednesday to reassert their cushion and could even extend it when they host third-place Aston Villa on Saturday lunchtime.
City had shrunk the gap to two after a rollercoaster 5-4 victory over Fulham on Tuesday, but Mikel Arteta’s Gunners used their game in hand to good effect.
Now, City take on a Sunderland side massively overachieving this term.
Regis Le Bris’ team are exceeding all expectations, hovering around the European places on their top-flight return.
The Championship play-off winners were superb to earn a deserved draw with Liverpool at Anfield last time out, although their performance merited even more.
The Wearsiders are in sixth after their 1-1 stalemate on Wednesday, and they will arrive at the Etihad Stadium fully confident that they can upset the apple cart once again.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Man City vs Sunderland is scheduled for a 3pm GMT kick-off on Saturday December 6, 2025.
The match will take place at the Etihad Stadium.
Where to watch Man City vs Sunderland
TV channel: In the UK, the game will not be televised live as it lands during the 3pm Saturday blackout.
Free highlights: The Sky Sports app and YouTube channel will show highlights from 5.15pm, with Match of the Day broadcasting on BBC One at 10.20pm.
Man City vs Sunderland team news
Rodri will miss out for City again, but Guardiola has suggested he could feature against Real Madrid in the Champions League next week.
The Spaniard’s return to action has again been pushed back, although Guardiola hinted that the midfielder did not have “much further” to go with his recovery from a hamstring problem.
Mateo Kovacic is the only other absentee for the hosts.
As for Sunderland, Aji Alese and Habib Diarra are their only injuries, with both in line to return soon.
Man City vs Sunderland prediction
Sunderland seriously impressed at Anfield.
They were structured in their 4-4-2 shape out of possession, and they were dangerous and direct on the counter-attack.
Brian Brobbey was a real handful, pinning the centre-backs and running selflessly into the channels to create space for the little magician Enzo Le Fee.
Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki provided a steely midfield base, with Chemsdine Talbi, the goalscorer that night, off the left, looking to drift inside at every opportunity.
City have shown as ever that they can score plenty of goals - with Erling Haaland in the side, there is no doubt - but it is defensively where they look vulnerable. Can they keep it together against the high-flying Black Cats?
Man City to win, 3-1.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
Man City wins: 72
Sunderland wins: 50
Draws: 25
Man City vs Sunderland match odds
Man City to win: 2/9
Sunderland to win: 11/1
Draw: 11/2
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
