Manchester City v Sunderland: Premier League match preview

A look ahead to this week’s Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

Jonny Singer
Thursday 17 April 2014 07:17 EDT
Comments
Vincent Kompany looks on after Liverpool score the winning goal in the 3-2 Premier League fixture
Vincent Kompany looks on after Liverpool score the winning goal in the 3-2 Premier League fixture (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Manchester City have the chance to bounce back from their defeat at Anfield on Sunday and put the pressure back on Liverpool and Chelsea in the title race. Although the league is no longer in Manuel Pellegrini’s hands, his side can still get within a point of the Reds if they win their games in hand.

Sunderland, on the other hand, haven’t won since the last time these two teams met, in the Capital One Cup final, and unless they alter that at the Etihad, their Premier League status will be in even graver doubt.

Gus Poyet’s side do have a decent recent record against City, but they have lost five in a row, and even if they take advantage of their games in hand they won’t escape the relegation zone.

KICK-OFF: Wednesday, 7.45pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS:

Manchester City 3 (Toure, Nasri, Navas) Sunderland 1 (Borini), Capital One Cup, March 2014

Sunderland 1 (Bardsley) Manchester City 0, Premier League, November 2013

Sunderland 1 (Johnson) Manchester City 0, Premier League, December 2012

STATS:

Sunderland have never won at Etihad Stadium, losing six and drawing one of their seven visits – they have however won both of their last meetings in the league.

Manchester City have scored at least three goals in this fixture on each of the last four occasions.

Manchester City have won all but one of their home league games this season – only Chelsea have won at Etihad Stadium

Since losing the Capital One Cup final to Manchester City, Sunderland have picked up one point from six league games, and been knocked out of the FA Cup

Sunderland have won more games in domestic cups this season than they have in the league

More than half of Sunderland’s points this season have come away from home, something they share with only Manchester United and Tottenham

ODDS:

Man City to win: 1.15

Sunderland to win: 19.0

Draw: 7.0

CLASSIC MATCH

City hosted Sunderland knowing that a win would put them top of the table with seven games to go as they sought their first Premier League title. But Sunderland had other ideas, two goals from Sebastian Larsson and one from Niklas Bendtner putting them 3-1 up. City saved themselves with five minutes to go, Mario Balotelli and Aleksandar Kolorov scoring twice in 69 seconds to seal a vital point – they would go on to win the title on goal difference.

TV: Not on TV.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in