Man City vs Sunderland Prediction & Preview - Premier League

·2 min read·By Denver

Our full preview of Manchester City vs Sunderland in the Premier League, with team news, recent form and a final score prediction.

Manchester City have not lost since the last week of August, and the question hanging over this Premier League fixture is whether a stretched Sunderland squad can live with that run. Sunderland's build-up has included an EFL Cup win over Hull City, a Premier League defeat to Arsenal and a Europa League trip to AZ Alkmaar, three matches in eight days heading into a visit to a Manchester City side that has barely stopped scoring.

Manchester City vs Sunderland: key facts

  • Competition: Premier League
  • Date: Sunday, 20 September 2026
  • Kick-off: 14:00 BST
  • Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
  • Match page: Manchester City vs Sunderland

Manchester City's form since the derby win

City have won all four Premier League matches in our archive this season: 2-1 over Bournemouth, 4-1 away at Crystal Palace, 1-0 over Coventry City and 1-0 away at Manchester United in the derby. They also won 2-0 at FC Porto in the Champions League and beat Norwich City 5-0 in the EFL Cup in midweek. Across their last three matches in all competitions they have scored eight goals.

Sunderland's stretched week

Sunderland's Premier League form in our archive is mixed. They beat Fulham 1-0, drew 1-1 at Brentford, lost 2-1 away at Ipswich Town and lost 0-2 at home to Arsenal. Away from the league, they beat Hull City 1-0 in the EFL Cup and won away at AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League.

Team news for both sides

Phil Foden was sent off for violent conduct in the derby win over Manchester United and misses this game, having already sat out the EFL Cup tie with Norwich City. Jeremy Doku, out since a calf injury, is reported to be in contention to feature for the first time this season. For Sunderland, midfielder Habib Diarra is ruled out until December after groin surgery, and left-back Reinildo Mandava is suspended until 10 October.

Manchester City vs Sunderland prediction

Manchester City should have too much for Sunderland in this Premier League meeting at the Etihad Stadium. City have won all four of their league matches in our archive and have scored eight goals across their last three games in all competitions, while Sunderland go into this one without Habib Diarra and have taken only one point from the two Premier League away trips in our archive, a draw at Brentford and a defeat at Ipswich Town. The gap in recent form is wide enough to expect a comfortable home win.

Our prediction: Manchester City 3-0 Sunderland

Make your prediction

Manchester City vs Sunderland is open for calls now on CalledItMate, a free football prediction game with no stake or deposit involved. Head to the match page to enter your own scoreline, check how the prediction game works if you're new to it, and see this season's prizes if you fancy winning real cash predicting football results correctly.

Share