Sunderland continue their push for an European qualification spot as they host title-chasing Manchester City.
Victory would lift Sunderland up to fifth in the table, whilst Man City can return to within two points of Arsenal at the summit with a win.
Team News
Luke O’Nien is available for Sunderland following completion of his three-match ban.
Dan Ballard (ankle), Reinildo, Noah Sadiki, Arthur Masuaku, Habib Diarra, Bertrand Traore, Chemsdine Talbi (international duty) and Aji Alese (shoulder) remain absent.
Man City have no fresh injury concerns to report following their 2-1 win at Nottingham Forest.
Jeremy Doku (leg), John Stones (thigh), Rayan Ait-Nouri, Omar Marmoush (both international duty), Mateo Kovacic (foot), Oscar Bobb and Rodri (both hamstring) remain sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Sunderland host Man City at Stadium of Light on New Year’s Day at 8pm GMT, live on Sky Sports Main Event in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Sunderland are winless in their last eight league meetings against Man City (D1, L7).
- Man City have won their last three visits to Sunderland (W3), having claimed just one point in their previous five visits beforehand (D1, L4).
- Ex Man City striker, Sergio Aguero scored in both of the Citizens’ last two visits to Sunderland.
- Sunderland won their only previous New Year’s Day meeting against Man City by 1-0 result in 2012, coincidentally at home on that occasion.
- Sunderland are yet to lose at home this season (W5, D4).
- Man City have avoided defeat in five of their eight away matches broadcast on Sky Sports in the UK (W4, D1, L3)
Prediction
Despite the absences of various players, Sunderland have done well to grind out two draws by focusing on the defensive basics in their last two games, whilst the fact that they soaked up Leeds’ relentless attacks stands them well for this game where they will have a lot of defending to do.
Man City though are just a runaway train once they hit a winning patch of form but they weren’t exactly at their clinical best at Forest, where they needed a late winner after careless defending of a Forest counter-attack – which could be how Sunderland can hurt them in the transitions.
Sunderland though are yet to lose at home this season so this will be a tough trip to Wearside for City if the home fans turn up and create an intimidating atmosphere, but I do think that Pep Guardiola’s Cityzens will have enough to do what no other league visitors have done this season.
Prediction: Sunderland 1-2 Man City
Result: Sunderland 0-0 Man City