Manchester City vs Sunderland: Premier League Preview, Gameweek 5, 2026
A general view of the Etihad Stadium from the outside (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
Sunderland travel to the Etihad on Sunday, closing the curtain on a huge week for the Black Cats.
City are perfect in the league so far with four wins from four, whilst Sunderland sit on four points with a win, draw and two defeats.
Theeight-time Premier League champions were victorious at the Etihad when the sides met last year, winning 3-0.
Both sides could rotate as Sunderland played on Wednesday evening, kick-starting their return to European football. City played Norwich on Thursday night in the third round of the Carabao Cup.
The Black Cats' last victory over City was in November 2013, and they are yet to win at the Etihad.
Team News:
Manchester City
Enzo Maresca will be without Phil Foden following his red card in the Manchester Derby on Sunday.
Jeremy Doku could be in line to return this weekend. The Belgian missed the beginning of the campaign due to a calf injury.
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Iliman Ndiaye and Antoine Semenyo were both on the bench midweek, indicating they're likely to feature on Sunday. Rayan Cherki played the first 45 and got on the scoresheet as City comfortably progressed.
New signings Allan and Ayyoub Bouaddi both started in the Carabao Cup tie with Norwich. The Brazilian winger bagged a goal and an assist in the 5-0 win over the Canaries.
17-year-old Floyd Samba bagged a brace and may return to the bench after being an unused substitute against Coventry just a fortnight ago.
Sunderland
Reinildo will serve his one-match ban after his dismissal in the defeat to Arsenal. The defender received two yellow cards in his battle with Bukayo Saka last Saturday.
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Regis Le Bris has multiple options to cover for the Mozambique international with new recruit Dayann Methalie, who is yet to feature in the Premier League. Trai Hume and Thomas Meunier also have experience playing left-back.
Habib Diarra and Romaine Mundle remain absent with long-term injury issues.
The Black Cats could also be without Omar Alderete, who is a doubt after picking up a muscle injury in midweek.
Chemsdine Talbi will return to the matchday squad after missing Wednesday due to being left out of the 22-man Europa League squad.
Jocelin Ta Bi and new signing Juan Riquelme Angulo both featured for Sunderland U21 on Friday night as they get more minutes in the tank. Jocelin got a goal and an assist as the young Black Cats won 3-1.
Predicted line-ups
Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guéhi, Gvardiol; Anderson, Fernández; Ndiaye, Cherki, Semenyo; Haaland
Sunderland (4-2-3-1): Roefs; Mukiele, Danso, Ballard, Meunier; Sadiki, Xhaka; Hume, Le Fee, Fofana; Brobbey
Key Players
Manchester City: Erling Haaland
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The Norwegian has started the season emphatically, as he always does, netting six goals in six games in all competitions.
With City going down to 10 at Old Trafford, Haaland barely saw any of the ball, but when he did, he made it count, sealing the three points, despite the VAR controversy.
The striker has won the Golden Boot in three of his four seasons in England, scoring 20+ goals each season.
However, Haaland has yet to score against the Black Cats, and they remain the only team he has failed to score against in the Premier League.
Will this stat still be intact on Sunday?
Sunderland: Enzo Le Fee
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The midfielder has been at the forefront for Sunderland over the last fortnight.
With penalty drama, having had a spot-kick in each of his last three games, Le Fee bounced back from his miss against Arsenal to provide the winner in the victory over AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League.
The Frenchman was back to his best on Wednesday night and could have had a hat-trick on another day, striking the post early in the first-half.
Le Fee racked up the most contributions in the squad last season, with five goals and six assists and has started this season in similar fashion. The 26-year-old is the biggest threat for the Black Cats when they go forward and always looks to create a chance for his teammates,
Match Details
Where is the game being played?
The game is being played at the Etihad, the home of the Cityzens.
What time is kick-off?
Kick-off is scheduled for Sunday, 20th September at 14:00 BST.
How can I watch?
You can watch the highlights via the Sky Sports YouTube channel, which will upload shortly after full-time.