Patrick Vieira’s men currently lie fourth in the league, while the Black Cats are fifth on the same number of points but with an inferior goal difference, having played one game more.
Meanwhile, the young Blues sit just four points behind league leaders Liverpool with a game in hand, and will be aiming to make up the ground on the Reds while increasing the gap between themselves and the teams below them.
For this visit of Sunderland, City will be hoping to replicate the slick attacking display that saw them fire six past Blackburn at Leigh Sports Village on Monday night. Top scorer Jordy Hiwula struck four times to take his tally for the season up to 16, against a Rovers defence that just could not contain the rampant Blues.
However, Sunderland will come into the game in confident mood having earned a very creditable victory last time out against a strong Fulham side, who are second in the table as things stand. That was their first win in three matches, but the Wearsiders are unbeaten in four of the last six.
Kick off is at 7pm at the Etihad Stadium. We’ll have match updates on twitter, as well as a full match report, highlights and reaction after the game right here on mcfc.co.uk.
