Manchester City vs Sunderland: Predictions, Picks, Odds & Lineups

Manchester City host Sunderland at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, September 20 (9:00 AM ET / 8:00 AM CT / 6:00 AM PT).

Sunderland make the trip to the Etihad without the injured Mundle (knee) and the injured Diarra (thigh), with the suspended Mandava also unavailable. That leaves Le Fée, who already has 10 shots and a goal in 349 minutes, and Xhaka, whose 10 chances created tops the squad, to carry the creative burden alongside forwards Brobbey and Isidor. Manchester City have no fresh absences to report, with Haaland — already on 4 goals from 16 shots — expected to lead the line, backed by the creative pairing of Cherki and Foden.

This looks set to be a tight, low-event afternoon rather than an avalanche of goals. City have won all 4 of their league matches so far this season, keeping things watertight at the back, while Sunderland have managed just 4 points from 4 games and a -2 goal difference away from home. Expect City to control possession and probe patiently, with Sunderland setting up to limit the space in behind rather than chase parity.

US viewers can watch Manchester City vs Sunderland on NBC and Peacock.

Season Form & Standings

Manchester City have won all 4 games to open the season, collecting 12 points and a +6 goal difference. Sunderland have taken 4 points from 4 matches — 1 win, 1 draw and 2 losses — for a goal difference of -2.

Premier League

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Potential Match-Winners

• Erling Haaland (Manchester City): 4 goals from 16 shots (9 on target) already this season makes Haaland City’s most direct route to goal.
• Mathis Cherki (Manchester City): Cherki’s 2 goals and 10 chances created, plus 2 assists, make him City’s most productive attacking midfielder early on.
• Enzo Le Fée (Sunderland): Le Fée’s 10 shots headline a Sunderland side short on end product, though his 1 goal and 3 chances created make him Sunderland’s most involved midfielder going forward.

Recent Form

Manchester City: W W W

• 2026-09-05: Manchester City 1-0 Coventry City (W, home)
• 2026-08-28: Crystal Palace 1-4 Manchester City (W, away)
• 2026-08-23: Manchester City 2-1 Bournemouth (W, home)

City’s form reads W W W, backed by a 1-0 win over Coventry City, a 4-1 win away at Crystal Palace and a 2-1 win over Bournemouth.

Sunderland: L W D

• 2026-09-05: Brentford 1-1 Sunderland (D, away)
• 2026-08-30: Sunderland 1-0 Fulham (W, home)
• 2026-08-22: Ipswich Town 2-1 Sunderland (L, away)

Sunderland’s form reads L W D — a 2-1 loss at Ipswich Town, a 1-0 win over Fulham and a 1-1 draw away at Brentford.

Manchester City vs Sunderland Prediction

Expect a tightly controlled game in Manchester’s favor. City arrive on 12 points from 4 wins and a +6 goal difference, while Sunderland travel south on 4 points from 4 games and a -2 goal difference, further stretched by the absences of the injured Mundle, the injured Diarra and the suspended Mandava. Haaland’s continued sharpness in front of goal — 4 goals from 16 shots so far — should be enough to break down a Sunderland side setting up to stay compact, and Squawka’s Signal model lands on a 1-0 Manchester City win.