Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
TEAM NEWS
Sunderland’s Papy Djilobodji returns from a ban but loanee Jason Denayer is ineligible against his parent club.
Jan Kirchhoff and Steven Pienaar are not yet fit to play, while Jack Rodwell is unlikely to feature because a hamstring problem.
Manchester City defenders Vincent Kompany and Aleksandar Kolarov are both in contention despite missing the win against Huddersfield through injury.
David Silva and Willy Caballero could return after being rested on Wednesday.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Manchester City have won their last three league and cup games at the Stadium of Light. Prior to that run, they had lost four consecutive games on Wearside (all 1-0 defeats).
Home and away, City have claimed six successive wins against Sunderland in all competitions (including a 4-1 win in the League Cup last season).
Sunderland
Sunderland have won just one of their last nine league games (D2, L6).
The Black Cats have failed to score in four of their last five top-flight matches – the exception being their 4-0 win at Crystal Palace.
David Moyes has only lost two of 12 Premier League home games against Manchester City in his managerial career (W7, D3).
Jermain Defoe has scored eight Premier League goals against Manchester City – the only side he has a better record against is Wigan (10 goals).
Defoe has attempted 64 shots in the Premier League this season – 40 more than any other Sunderland player.
Manchester City
City are chasing a fourth consecutive league victory, which would represent their best run since winning their opening six top-flight matches under Pep Guardiola.
They have won three of their last six Premier League away games, losing the other three.
Pep Guardiola has suffered five Premier League defeats as Manchester City boss this season – he’s never lost six in a single league campaign as a manager.
Sergio Aguero has been involved in six goals in his last four Premier League appearances against Sunderland (four goals and two assists).
