Enzo Maresca looks to unleash his clinical attack following a five-star cup display, but a resilient Sunderland side arrives at the Etihad seeking a historic upset.
Iliman Ndiaye could be rewarded for his exceptional cameo at Old Trafford with a start against Sunderland.
More Videos
Last time out, Manchester City began their defence of the Carabao Cup in outstanding fashion, breezing past EFL Championship outfit Norwich City by a scoreline five goals to nil as teenage starlet Floyd Samba stole the show on his senior debut.
The opening exchanges were relatively well contested, as the Canaries remained well structured, defensively solid and difficult to break down for the home side. However, maintaining that level of discipline against a team as relentless as Manchester City across ninety minutes is a mountain that is nigh on insurmountable, and eventually the Blues' pressure paid dividends.
The breakthrough for Maresca's men came in the 29th minute as an excellent cross from Brazilian debutant Allan found the head of 17-year-old CFA graduate Floyd Samba, who produced a deft header into the bottom corner of Daniel Grimshaw's net, giving City the lead and scoring his first goal in senior football.
Breaking the deadlock appeared to breathe further attacking impetus into those in sky blue, as mere minutes later an excellent ball in behind the Norwich City defence from Ayoubb Bouaddi found the feet of the ever-influential Rayan Cherki, who, with just the goalkeeper to beat, finished expertly and doubled the deficit on the night.
Subsequently, just three minutes after the restart, City's No. 37 Allan, after turning provider earlier in the encounter, opened his account in Manchester after a sharp drop of the shoulder allowed him to fire an inch-perfect strike into the bottom corner as Enzo Maresca's side cruised into a 3-0 lead.
Six minutes later, the dream debut continued for Floyd Samba as the youngster unleashed a sublime curling effort from the edge of the 18-yard box, which nestled into the far corner, a second goal for City's supremely talented No. 75 and a fourth on the night for the residents of the Etihad Stadium, sending a clear message to future opposition that they are determined to maintain their title.
Finally, with ninety minutes on the clock, 18-year-old sensation Ryan McAidoo capped off the ruthless rout of Philippe Clement's side as Nico O'Reilly drilled in a low cross from the right flank, which, after an intelligent dummy from Rico Lewis, enabled the winger to guide home a calm first-time finish, concluding a five-star performance in the Carabao Cup third round.
Now though, following that resounding victory in midweek, it's all eyes on Premier League action as Manchester City host Sunderland on Sunday afternoon in their final test ahead of the September international break.
The Black Cats come into the match off the back of a historic 1-0 home victory over Eredivisie side AZ Alkmaar in the Europe League after 53 years away from the continental stage. Domestically, Sunderland have accumulated four points so far this campaign but most recently were on the receiving end of a 0-2 defeat to Mikel Arteta's Arsenal.
Here is how we expect Enzo Maresca to line up Manchester City as the Italian aims to head into the international break with five consecutive league victories!
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has heaped praise on Sunderland ahead of Sunday's tricky Premier League meeting with the Black Cats at the Etihad Stadium.cityxtra.co.uk"They Are Very Well Coached" - Maresca Sends Stark Sunderland Warning to Man City Squad
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has heaped praise on Sunderland ahead of Sunday's tricky Premier League meeting with the Black Cats at the Etihad Stadium.
After being rested for his understudy Geronimo Rulli against Norwich, Gianluigi Donnarumma looks set to return between the sticks as City's imperious No. 1 proved his worth yet again in the Manchester derby, with his last-gasp heroics earning ten-man City an invaluable three points at Old Trafford.
Matheus Nunes, despite going under the radar of many, has evolved into one of Manchester City's most crucial figures, making the right-back position his own in the wake of his transition from midfield, and given the fact he has now returned to full fitness, the 28-year-old should begin the defence.
At centre-back, we predict a partnership of Marc Guehi and Ruben Dias to be trusted with the task of shielding the City goal. They are certainly the favoured pairing by Enzo Maresca, as the duo, prior to Thursday night's triumph, had started every game but the Community Shield in Cardiff alongside each other, keeping three clean sheets in the process. Their defensive acumen was on display for all to see last Sunday at Old Trafford, with both being integral to the Blues' derby day victory, and they will be hoping to remain just as resolute against the Black Cats.
Back in the starting XI after being absent from the squad on Thursday, Josko Gvardiol is predicted to complete the back four. Similarly to those at centre-half, the Croatian has started every Premier League tie thus far and is truly a vital component to the Manchester City machine. Not only is the No. 24 an exceptional defender, but his capabilities in forward areas make him a unique and formidable force at full-back, and with the 24-year-old producing two goal contributions already this campaign, he will perhaps be optimistic of adding to that tally on Sunday.
In the engine room, club record recruit Enzo Fernandez should make a return to the starting eleven, as the Argentine will aim to build a head of steam after a tireless display at Old Trafford which helped his side earn an immense, well-fought victory away from home. The former Chelsea man was by and large instrumental through his endeavours out of possession due to City's numerical disadvantage, but the 25-year-old will be desperate to have an impact at the opposite end of the pitch against Sunderland.
Alongside the FIFA World Cup winner, Elliot Anderson will almost certainly get the nod on Sunday as the former Newcastle United man continues to thrive in his new colours and make his lucrative £116 million price tag seem more than justifiable.
The 23-year-old was incredible once again in the Manchester derby with his lung-busting off-the-ball work, which saw the midfielder cover the most distance (11.6 km) and have the most defensive contributions (14), earning him a deserved Man of the Match award on the very biggest of occasions.
Anderson has been one of City's most consistent and impressive players since his arrival at the Etihad Stadium in the summer; if he continues on this upward trajectory, there is truly no telling how high the ceiling is for the No. 5.
Ahead of this eye-watering £241 million double pivot, Manchester City's marvellous maverick Rayan Cherki should be in from the start. The 23-year-old's goal against Norwich City made it five goal involvements across competitions as the Frenchman continues his superb start to the season. The former Lyon man is simply enthralling to watch regardless of your allegiances, and if Manchester City are to take all three points on Sunday, the likelihood is that the brilliance of Cherki will be a decisive factor.
Iliman Ndiaye looks set to occupy the right flank in the absence of Phil Foden through suspension following his dismissal at Old Trafford last weekend as the Senegal international excelled against Manchester United after being introduced at halftime.
The No. 7 was everything City needed in their rather precarious situation, providing a constant outlet and transitional threat whilst simultaneously fulfilling his defensive duties and controlling the tempo of the game, which ultimately led to a momentous three points for the Blues, a feat that without Ndiaye may not have been achieved.
The question of who will lead the line against Regis Le Bris' men is all but a rhetorical one, as who else to fulfill the role of striker but the talismanic Erling Haaland? The Norwegian has netted six goals in all competitions this season, and given the fact he failed to score in both meetings against Sunderland last term, the 25-year-old will be as hungry as ever to turn the tide this time around and get on the scoresheet against City's North-Eastern visitors.
Off the left wing, we expect Antoine Semenyo to be named on Enzo Maresca's team sheet. Despite the fact that the 46-year-old head coach has revealed that Jeremy Doku is potentially available, he is unlikely to be risked from the start after his prolonged spell on the sidelines, leaving City in the capable hands of their No. 42.
Semenyo is a persistent threat to opposition fullbacks due to his sheer physicality coupled with his ability to constantly get the better of his defender 1v1, and the Ghanian will want to provide as tough a challenge to the Sunderland right back this weekend as he aims to add to his return of two assists so far this campaign.
Starting XI: Donnarumma; Nunes, Guehi, Dias, Gvardiol; Fernandez, Anderson, Cherk;, Ndiaye, Haaland, Semenyo.
Substitutes: Rulli, Ait Nouri, Khusanov, Lewis, O'Reilly, Kovacic, Bouaddi, Doku, Allan.