Manchester City v Sunderland, Premier League: Where to Watch, Preview, Betting Odds and Team News

Manchester City and Sunderland go head-to-head at the Etihad Stadium in the midweek Premier League game on Wednesday.

Where to Watch

Kick-off is set for 7:45pm GMT. Catch the highlights of the game on Match of the Day on BBC One and BBC One HD at 10:35pm GMT.

Overview

City will take the field after a winless run of two matches for the first time in the league this season. The Citizens suffered their first defeat at home earlier this month against Chelsea. The defeat was then followed by a goalless draw against Norwich City in their previous league fixture.

Manuel Pellegrini will be eager for his side to recover from the setback and hit the ground running once again with all three points against Sunderland. The former English champions currently sit third in the league table with 54 points after 25 matches.

City have a chance to go on top of the table with a win if Arsenal fail to win their match against Manchester United in the other league fixture on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Black Cats' unbeaten run of eight matches in all competitions which included seven wins, came to a halt last weekend against Hull City at the Stadium of Light. The Wearside outfit lost 2-0 at home with goals from Shane Long and Nikica Jelavic on either side of the half-time whistle.

However, Gus Poyet takes his men to the Etihad with a chance of nicking a double against the title contenders. In the reverse fixture last November, Sunderland scalped a surprise1-0 at home courtesy of a first-half goal from Phil Bardsley.

The two sides are also scheduled to clash once again in the final of Capital One Cup scheduled to be played next month.

The Uruguayan's side are currently in the relegation zone sitting 18th with 24 points, having played 25 matches. A point will be enough to lift the Capital One Cup finalists to 17<sup>th spot in the league table.

What Managers Say

Manuel Pellegrini: "This week will not make or break our season. We need three points against Sunderland, a good first leg against Barcelona and a win in the FA Cup - but we must play very well in all of those games to get the results we want. It's going to be very hard but the team with the strongest mentality is the one that will win the title."

Gus Poyet: "We need to be realistic – they have got plenty of quality players and that's why they're in the position they are. We must be spot on and do everything right; making sure we're organised to make it difficult for them. Saying that, I think it's a game the boys are looking forward to, having the opportunity to play against the team we will face in the cup final."

Odds by 888Sport

David Silva to score at any time – Industry best 7/3

Jesus Navas to score at any time – Industry best 17/5

Jesus Navas to score the first goal of the game – Industry best 23/2

Team Form

Manchester City

• Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): D L W W W
• Last Result: Norwich City 0-0 Manchester City

Sunderland

• Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): L W W W W
• Last Result: Sunderland 0-2 Hull City

Team Guide

Manchester City

• Injured: Sergio Aguero (hamstring), Javi Garcia (unspecified), Samir Nasri (knee), Fernandinho (thigh), Matija Nastasic (knee)
• Doubtful: N/A
• Suspended: N/A

Probable Lineup: Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Kolarov; Navas, Milner, Toure, Silva; Dzeko, Negredo

Sunderland

• Injured: Carlos Cuellar (hip), Steven Fletcher (Achilles), Keiren Westwood (shoulder)
• Doubtful: N/A
• Suspended: Wes Brown

Probable Lineup: Mannone; Bardsley, O'Shea, Vergini, Alonso; Larsson, Ki, Bridcutt; Johnson, Altidore, Borini