Premier League: Sunderland vs Manchester City – Betting Tips, Odds & Prediction

Sunderland host Manchester City on Friday morning New Zealand time in what will be a serious test for the hosts at the Stadium of Light.

The visitors are hunting top spot in the league, while Sunderland are fighting to keep their impressive home record intact against the big boys. Those who are following the Premier League closely will have this one circled, as it has all the makings of a proper scrap. Can Sunderland pull off another shock result on their own turf, or will Manchester City be too much for them to handle?

I’ve gone through the numbers and the latest news in this Sunderland vs Manchester City preview. From missing players to tactical battles, I’ve got you covered, including a $3.50 pick for those keen on a punt at the top betting sites in NZ.

Sunderland

Regis Le Bris has worked wonders since getting Sunderland promoted, and they’ve turned their home ground into a fortress against all odds. So much so, that they haven’t lost a home league game yet this season - fairly impressive for a team that should be getting thrashed on the regular. 

Trouble is, they’re coming into this clash with a massive handicap: half the Sunderland squad is off at the Africa Cup of Nations. Losing guys like Simon Adingra and Omar Alderete is a bitter pill to swallow. They’ve still got Granit Xhaka to anchor the midfield, who will need to be at his absolute best to stop City from running riot. 

I suspect Sunderland will sit deep and try to catch Pep on the break with Brian Brobbey’s pace. They’re plucky as anything, but with a thin bench, I’m picking they’ll gas out in the last 20 minutes and forgo their spotless home record.

Team News: Sunderland will be without Dan Ballard due to an ankle injury, as well as six players away on AFCON duty.

Predicted Lineup: Roefs; Hume, Mukiele, Mepham, Cirkin; Xhaka, Neil; Rigg, Le Fee, Mundle; Brobbey.

Manchester City

City are in that classic winter machine mode where they just don’t look like stopping for anyone. They’ve won eight on the bounce with terrifying efficiency. Rayan Cherki has been the standout lately—his vision is something else, and he’s been feeding Erling Haaland with ease.

They’ll turn up and expect to own the ball. My only beef with them is that they’ve looked a bit soft at the back on the road, conceding silly goals when they’re already 2-0 up. Some football expert tips would have you put your mortgage on a clean sheet, because I just don’t trust their concentration for the full 90. 

That said, with Foden and De Bruyne pulling the strings, they usually outscore whatever mistakes they make.

Team News: Manchester City will be missing John Stones, Mateo Kovacic, and Oscar Bobb through injury with Omar Marmoush and Rayan Ait Nouri away at AFCON.

Predicted Lineup: Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Silva, Nico, Reijnders; Cherki, Foden; Haaland.

• Manchester City have won their last eight meetings against Sunderland.
• Sunderland are currently on a ten-match unbeaten run at home in the league.
• Erling Haaland has scored in almost every away game he’s played this season.
• City have scored 3+ goals in five of their last six matches.
• Both teams have scored in 70% of Sunderland’s home games this year.

I’d love to see a massive upset here just for the drama, but I think the international call-ups have killed Sunderland’s chances. Missing key defenders against Haaland is asking for trouble. Sunderland will give it a real go and the crowd will be up for it, but City are just too professional when the title race is this tight.

I expect City to grab an early lead, Sunderland to fight back and maybe nick one, but for the visitors to pull away in the second half. I’m calling a 3-1 win for Manchester City. 

They have the bench depth to change the game if things get sticky, and Sunderland just don’t have that luxury right now. If you’re hunting for the best odds, look at the handicap markets to squeeze a bit more value out of a City win.

Manchester City to Win and Both Teams to Score @ $3.50

City’s defence has been a bit leaky on the road, and Sunderland haven’t failed to score at home all season. I’m backing the Black Cats to give their fans something to cheer about, but for the champions to eventually walk away with the points. It’s a solid value play for a match that should have plenty of action, with betting apps like Sportaza paying out $3.50 for this market.