Pep Guardiola’s side sit second, five points adrift of the league leaders, who beat Brentford 2-0 on Wednesday to reassert their cushion.
City had shrunk the gap to two after a rollercoaster 5-4 victory over Fulham on Tuesday, but Mikel Arteta’s Gunners used their game in hand to good effect.
Now, City take on a Sunderland side massively overachieving this term.
Regis Le Bris’ side are exceeding all expectations, hovering around the European places on their top-flight return.
The Championship play-off winners performed superbly to earn a deserved draw at Anfield last time out, although their performance in fact merited even more.
The Wearsiders are in sixth after their 1-1 stalemate on Wednesday, and they will arrive at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday fully confident that they can upset the apple cart once again.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Man City vs Sunderland is scheduled for a 3pm GMT kick-off on Saturday, December 6 2025.
The match will take place at the Etihad Stadium.
Where to watch Man City vs Sunderand
TV channel: In the UK, the game will not be televised live as it lands during the 3pm Saturday blackout.
Free highlights: The Sky Sports app and YouTube channel will show highlights from 5.15pm with Match of the Day broadcasting on BBC One at 10.20pm.
Man City vs Sunderland team news
For City, it remains another game of cat and mouse as to whether Rodri will be fit.
The Spaniard’s return to action has kept getting pushed back, although Guardiola hinted that the midfielder did not have “much further” to go with his recovery from a hamstring problem.
Mateo Kovacic is the only other absentee for the hosts.
As for Sunderland, Aji Alese and Habib Diarra are their only concerns, with both in line to return next week.
Man City vs Sunderland prediction
Sunderland seriously impressed at Anfield.
They were structured in their 4-4-2 shape out of possession, and they were dangerous and direct on the counter.
Brian Brobbey was a real handful, pinning the centre-backs and running selflessly into the channels to create space for the little magician Enzo Le Fee.
Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki provided a steely midfield base, with Chemsdine Talbi, the goalscorer that night, off the left, looking to drift inside at every opportunity.
City have shown that they can score goals – with Erling Haaland in the side, there is no doubt – but it is defensively they look vulnerable. Can they keep it together against the high-flying Black Cats?
Head to head (h2h) history and results
Man City vs Sunderland match odds
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
