Manchester wakes on Sunday with the Etihad Stadium holding a chance for Manchester City to pull clear at the Premier League summit. Arsenal’s 3-0 defeat away to Brighton on Saturday has opened the door for Enzo Maresca’s side to move three points ahead of the reigning champions.
Quick facts
- Match: Manchester City v Sunderland
- Date: Sunday, 20 September
- Kick-off: 10:00 Brasília time
- Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
- Brazil coverage: ESPN and Disney+
- League position: City have 12 points and remain perfect after four matches
City begin the day level with Arsenal on 12 points, but as the competition’s only side with a 100% record. Victory over Sunderland would give Maresca an early three-point cushion in the title race.
The visitors arrive from Wearside with four points, built from one win, one draw and two losses. Sunderland were beaten 2-0 at home by Arsenal in their previous league outing, although their European midweek ended with a win against AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League.
Maresca is expected to send out Gianluigi Donnarumma behind a back four of Matheus Nunes, Marc Guéhi, Rúben Dias and Joško Gvardiol. Elliott Anderson, Enzo Fernández and Rayan Cherki are set to form the midfield, with Iliman Ndiaye, Antoine Semenyo and Erling Haaland leading the attack.
Régis Le Bris could line Sunderland up with Robin Roefs in goal; Nordi Mukiele, Kevin Danso, Omar Alderete and Trai Hume in defence; Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki, Angulo, Enzo Le Fée and Fofana behind Brian Brobbey.
For City, the occasion is less about drama than momentum: an autumn afternoon in Manchester, a clear route to first place, and an opportunity to turn Arsenal’s stumble on the south coast into an early advantage.
