Man City vs. Sunderland: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info
Manchester City have lost just once in their last six Boxing Day matches. Their only defeat came to Sunderland in 2012, a 1-0 reverse at the Stadium of Light.
A repeat this season would be unthinkable for City. Their form is unstable, and Monday night’s defeat to Arsenal has seen them slip six points off the top of the table and four points adrift of Arsene Wenger’s side.
The Blues need a reaction. A home match with Sunderland, who find themselves in 19th position with 12 points, is about as good an opportunity as they could have hoped for to get a much-needed three points.
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This is City’s final game at the Etihad this year. They have won 15 of their 19 home games in 2015, losing three times.
Sunderland have lost their last three league games, with manager Sam Allardyce struggling to have the impact he would ideally have wanted when he assumed control back in October.
They've conceded 33 goals already this season—the highest in the league—and have allowed more shots against them than any other side.
"#MerryChristmas from everyone at Manchester City! #mcfc pic.twitter.com/Rw4g9H4mSr
— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) December 25, 2015"
Date: Saturday, December 26
Kick-off: 3 p.m. GMT/10 a.m. ET
TV/Radio Listings: NBCSN, Westwood One Sports
Live Stream: NBC Sports Live Extra
Form Guide (last five games)
Manchester City
Arsenal 2-1 City
Manchester City 2-1 Swansea
Manchester City 4-2 Borussia Monchengladbach (Champions League)
Stoke City 2-0 Manchester City
Manchester City 4-1 Hull City (League Cup)
Sunderland
Chelsea 3-1 Sunderland
Sunderland 0-1 Watford
Arsenal 3-1 Sunderland
Sunderland 2-0 Stoke City
Crystal Palace 0-1 Sunderland
Predicted Formations
Manchester City
City's injury situation is easing, with only Samir Nasri currently unavailable. Vincent Kompany, Fernando and Pablo Zabaleta are all back in contention for this game.
Wilfried Bony was unhappy with being dropped for the Arsenal game, with the returning Sergio Aguero favoured to start up front. Pellegrini says the Ivorian needs to understand his star striker needed minutes to aid his full recovery.
"Sergio was ready to play [at Arsenal]. He needs minutes," Pellegrini said. "For three or four games he will not play the 90 minutes. He must be working but he was ready to play.
"I think that every player that doesn't play is always disappointed. But I am sure that Bony and all the players respect my decision.
"I talk always with all the players about different situations."
Manchester City (from): Caballero, Hart, Wright, Clichy, Demichelis, Kolarov, Kompany, Mangala, Otamendi, Sagna, Zabaleta, De Bruyne, Delph, Fernandinho, Fernando, Navas, Roberts, Silva, Toure, Zuculini, Aguero, Bony, Iheanacho, Sterling
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Hart; Sagna, Kompany, Otamendi, Kolarov; Fernandinho, Toure; De Bruyne, Silva, Sterling; Aguero
".@VincentKompany in contention for a return on Boxing Day... Training gallery: https://t.co/DJLkOZqimK #mcfc pic.twitter.com/OSsw9BgXba
— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) December 24, 2015"
Sunderland
Allardyce could be without Lee Cattermole, who has a back problem, while Sebastian Larsson and former City man Jack Rodwell are unavailable due to a knee complaint and suspension, respectively.
Sunderland (from): Mannone, Pantilimon, Stryjek, Brown, Coates, Jones, O'Shea, Van Aanholt, Yedlin, Bridcutt, Buckley, Cattermole, Gomez, Johnson, M'Vila, Borini, Defoe, Fletcher, Gooch, Graham, Lens, Toivonen, Watmore
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Pantilimon; Jones, Coates, O'Shea, Van Aanholt; Cattermole, M'Vila; Watmore, Toivonen, Johnson; Defoe
Players To Watch
Manchester City: Raheem Sterling
Raheem Sterling was rested for Monday night's trip to Arsenal, but he is likely to come back into the side for the game with Sunderland.
Manuel Pellegrini opted for a more conservative lineup at the Emirates, with Fabian Delph starting in place of Sterling. At home, Pellegrini rarely makes such concessions.
Sterling has blistering pace and stretches defences. He can play on the outside and come inside, with his ability to beat players one of the key aspects of City's forward play.
"You voted this strike by @aguerosergiokun against #LFC as November's @nissan Goal of the Month. #mcfc https://t.co/xrr8yL5jD8
— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) December 24, 2015"
Sunderland: Jermain Defoe
He may be 33, but Jermain Defoe remains sharp in the final third and is Sunderland's best chance of goals.
He's bagged seven in all competitions this season, with his instincts still in tact. Balance, poise and a burst of pace, he is difficult to defend against.
Given the way City have defended in recent weeks, he could get some joy.
Key Battle: Kevin De Bruyne vs. Patrick van Aanholt
Patrick van Aanholt, Sunderland's 25-year-old Dutch left-back, has a difficult task on his hands at the Etihad this weekend. Keeping Kevin De Bruyne quiet for 90 minutes has proven a difficult task for many full-backs this season, with the Belgian's ability to produce key moments in the final third a constant threat.
De Bruyne has scored nine goals already for the Blues. He may not have explosive pace, but he has unerring accuracy with his passes and has quickly become one of City's most important creative players.
Odds (via Odds Shark)
Manchester City: -500
Sunderland: +1223
Draw: +517
Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2015/16 season. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @RobPollard_.
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