Manchester City and Sunderland have confirmed their starting lineups ahead of tonight’s match at the Stadium of Light. Tonight’s match is a pivotal Premier League fixture for Pep Guardiola’s side. They have a tough month ahead, and they’ll be eager to pick up three points tonight to continue the momentum they’ve built over their eight-match winning run in all competitions. They’ll face a tough Sunderland side who are unbeaten at home in the Premier League so far this season Régis LeBris’ side also sit seventh in the league table which speaks to their quality. A tough test awaits Pep Guardiola’s side tonight.
There are five players who are unavailable for tonight’s match for Manchester City. Mateo Kovacic, John Stones and Oscar Bobb will miss tonight’s match due to injury. Rayan Ait-Nouri and Omar Marmoush are unavailable due to their participation at the African Cup of Nations.
Jeremy Doku and Rodri could both feature tonight against high-flying Sunderland. Pep Guardiola told the media that the pair should be available to play some part in tonight’s match if necessary.
Here are the starting lineups for tonight’s match.
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola has made two changes to the starting lineup that beat Nottingham Forest at The City Ground. Nathan Ake and Savinho replace Josko Gvardiol and Tijjani Reijnders in the starting eleven for tonight’s match.
Jeremy Doku and Rodri are on the bench for tonight’s match.
Starting lineup: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Matheus Nunes, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake, Nico O’Reilly, Nico, Bernardo Silva (C), Savinho, Phil Foden, Rayan Cherki, Erling Haaland.
Substitutes: Trafford, Reijnders, Doku, Rodri, Gvardiol, Khusanov, Mukasa, Lewis, R. Heskey.
Sunderland
RLB’s XI to take on Manchester City! 👊#SUNMCI pic.twitter.com/bu5iYO2QxR
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) January 1, 2026