Thursday, January 1, 2026 (New Year’s Day)
Stadium of Light, Sunderland
Kick-off: 20:00 GMT
Sunderland vs Manchester City Prediction
Sunderland have been one of the standout promoted sides this season, remaining unbeaten at home with five wins and four draws from nine matches. Sitting around 7th place with 28 points, Régis Le Bris’ side have impressed against elite opposition, though recent form has dipped slightly with just one victory in their last five league outings.
Manchester City arrive in devastating form, riding an eight-game winning streak across all competitions and sitting second in the table. Pep Guardiola’s men comfortably won the reverse fixture 3-0 last month and have dominated this matchup historically, winning the last eight meetings and remaining unbeaten against Sunderland since 2013.
Sunderland Team News & Standout Players
Sunderland are heavily affected by AFCON call-ups, weakening their squad depth at a crucial stage of the season.
Unavailable:
- AFCON duty: Habib Diarra, Bertrand Traoré, Chemsdine Talbi, Noah Sadiki, Arthur Masuaku, Reinildo Mandava
- Injury: Ajibola Alese (shoulder, out until early January 2026)
Key Players:
- Top scorer: W. Isidor (4 goals)
- Most assists: Granit Xhaka (5)
- Most suspended: Reinildo (5 matches)
- Most minutes: Robin Roefs (1,620)
Luke O’Nien returns from suspension, offering a timely boost at the back.
Manchester City Team News & Standout Players
City have fewer absentees and boast a largely settled squad.
Unavailable:
- AFCON duty: Omar Marmoush, Rayan Aït-Nouri
- Injuries: John Stones, Mateo Kovačić, Oscar Bobb
- Doubt: Jérémy Doku (leg)
Key Players:
- Top scorer: Erling Haaland (19 goals)
- Most assists: Rayan Cherki (7)
- Most suspended: Gianluigi Donnarumma (4 matches)
- Most minutes: Erling Haaland (1,557)
Haaland and Cherki are both fit and expected to play central roles in City’s attack.
Predicted Lineups
Sunderland (4-2-3-1):
Roefs; Hume, Mukiele, Alderete, Cirkin; Xhaka, Geertruida; Rigg, Le Fée, Adingra; Brobbey
Manchester City (4-1-4-1):
Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; González; Cherki, Bernardo Silva, Foden, Reijnders; Haaland
Our Prediction
Sunderland’s impressive home record suggests they won’t go down without a fight, but the sheer quality, depth and current form of Manchester City should be decisive especially with the hosts missing several key players due to international duty.
Prediction: Sunderland 1-3 Manchester City or Sunderland 0-3 Manchester City
Haaland is strongly tipped to score, with City expected to dominate possession and create multiple high-quality chances. Over 2.5 goals looks a likely outcome.