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Matchday 5 · · Etihad Stadium

Manchester City vs Sunderland: lineups

Lineups confirmed at

Manchester City 1 · 12 points
Sunderland 14 · 4 points

Confirmed lineups for Manchester City vs Sunderland

Manchester City 4-2-3-1
1 Donnarumma
24 Gvardiol
6 Guéhi
3 Dias
27 Nunes
5 Anderson
17 Fernández
7 Ndiaye
10 Cherki
42 Semenyo
9 Haaland

Lineup for Manchester City: Donnarumma, Gvardiol, Guéhi, Dias, Nunes, Anderson, Fernández, Ndiaye, Cherki, Semenyo, Haaland

Absentees Manchester City

Foden (suspended), Doku (doubtful)

Sunderland 4-2-3-1
22 Roefs
6 Methalie
5 Ballard
4 Danso
20 Mukiele
27 Sadiki
34 Xhaka
10 Angulo
28 Le Fée
12 Meunier
9 Brobbey

Lineup for Sunderland: Roefs, Methalie, Ballard, Danso, Mukiele, Sadiki, Xhaka, Angulo, Le Fée, Meunier, Brobbey

Absentees Sunderland

Diarra, Mundle (injured), Mandava (suspended), Alderete (doubtful)

Manchester City

Phil Foden remains sidelined for Manchester City's home game against Sunderland, serving a suspension after his red card. He had started four of the Citizens' last five matches before the ban. Jeremy Doku is also unavailable due to a calf injury, although he is close to returning.

Erling Haaland is expected to lead the line after scoring six goals in his last five appearances, while Rayan Cherki has started four of City's last five matches and contributed two goals and two assists.

City sit second in the table on 12 points after four straight wins.

Sunderland

The Black Cats will be without left-back Reinildo for the trip to Manchester City because of suspension. Mouhamadou Habib Diarra remains out as he continues his recovery from injury, while Romaine Mundle is not expected back until the new year because of a knee problem.

Daniel Ballard is expected to return to the back four after starting four of Sunderland's last five matches before coming on against AZ. Malick Fofana and Wilson Isidor, both handed their first starts in that game, are expected to drop back out of the side here.

Players to watch

The five players from each team with the most combined goals and assists this season.

All stats

Manchester City

  1. Erling Haaland Forward 6 goals 0 assists
  2. Rayan Cherki Midfielder 2 goals 2 assists
  3. Joško Gvardiol Defender 1 goals 1 assists
  4. Marc Guéhi Midfielder 1 goals 0 assists
  5. Antoine Semenyo Midfielder 0 goals 2 assists

Sunderland

  1. Enzo Le Fée Midfielder 2 goals 0 assists
  2. Nilson Angulo Midfielder 1 goals 0 assists
  3. Wilson Isidor Forward 1 goals 0 assists
  4. Mouhamadou Diarra Midfielder 0 goals 1 assists

Playing time and form

Who has played the most in recent weeks, and how have they performed?

Manchester City

Player Starts Min. Form
Gianluigi Donnarumma 5/5 450 strong
Rúben Dias 5/5 450 strong
Marc Guéhi 5/5 450 strong
Erling Haaland 5/5 450 excellent
Antoine Semenyo 5/5 422 solid
Joško Gvardiol 5/5 393 strong
Elliot Anderson 4/5 353 strong
Abdukodir Khusanov 3/4 311 solid

Sunderland

Player Starts Min. Form
Reinildo 5/5 459 solid
Robin Roefs 5/5 453 mixed
Granit Xhaka 5/5 453 strong
Enzo Le Fée 5/5 442 solid
Noah Sadiki 5/5 437 solid
Daniel Ballard 4/5 401 solid
Nordi Mukiele 4/4 363 mixed
Thomas Meunier 4/5 346 mixed

Pre-match prediction

Pre-match goals forecast
1.69 1.47
  • Predicted goals2.3
  • Both teams to score75%
  • Over 2.5 goals50%
  • Corners10.0

Team comparison

MCI home Per match SUN away
3.00 Points 0.50
1.50 Goals for 1.00
0.50 Goals against 1.50
1.69 xG for 1.47
0.93 xG against 1.19
6.0 Corners 4.0
WW Home and away form LD

Manchester City vs Sunderland: head-to-head record

24 previous meetings
16 Manchester City 4 draws 4 Sunderland
  • Goals per match3.00
  • Both teams scored46%
  • Over 2.5 goals58%
  • Jan 2026 Sunderland 0 - 0 Manchester City
  • Dec 2025 Manchester City 3 - 0 Sunderland
  • Mar 2017 Sunderland 0 - 2 Manchester City
  • Aug 2016 Manchester City 2 - 1 Sunderland
  • Feb 2016 Sunderland 0 - 1 Manchester City
  • Dec 2015 Manchester City 4 - 1 Sunderland
  • Sep 2015 Sunderland 1 - 4 Manchester City
  • Jan 2015 Manchester City 3 - 2 Sunderland
  • Dec 2014 Sunderland 1 - 4 Manchester City
  • Apr 2014 Manchester City 2 - 2 Sunderland

Frequently asked questions

Who is the referee for Manchester City vs Sunderland?

The referee for Manchester City vs Sunderland is Robert Jones.

When will the lineup for Manchester City vs Sunderland be announced?

Predicted lineups will appear on this page a few days before the match. Confirmed teams usually follow around an hour before kick-off, scheduled for .

Who is unavailable for Manchester City against Sunderland?

Manchester City are without Phil Foden (red card) and Jérémy Doku (calf injury).

Who is unavailable for Sunderland against Manchester City?

Sunderland are without Mouhamadou Diarra (hamstring injury), Reinildo Mandava (red card), Romaine Mundle (knee injury) and Omar Alderete (injury).

What formation do Manchester City play?

Manchester City have used a 4-2-3-1 formation in their last 5 matches under Maresca.

What formation do Sunderland play?

Sunderland have used a 4-2-3-1 in 4 of their last 5 matches. In their last match, they played a 4-2-3-1.

How did the last meeting between Manchester City and Sunderland finish?

On 1 January 2026, Sunderland vs Manchester City finished 0-0.

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