Manchester City aim to extend their perfect record at the start of the new Premier League season when they host Sunderland at the Etihad Stadium on September 20.

Maresca Enjoying Dream Start to Life at City

Enzo Maresca has enjoyed a faultless start to life at Manchester City since losing to Arsenal in the Community Shield.

The Citizens have won five straight fixtures in all competitions, keeping clean sheets in each of the previous three. City’s attacking players have also made telling impacts, with Erling Haaland netting six goals in his previous four appearances.

Enzo Fernandez has also excelled since joining from Chelsea, recording one assist in three starts. Phil Foden will be suspended this weekend after being sent off in the Manchester Derby. Jeremy Doku also remains unavailable due to injury.

Manchester City predicted lineup vs Sunderland (4-1-4-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Guehi, Dias, Gvardiol; Anderson; Ndiaye, Fernandez, Cherki, Semenyo; Haaland

Black Cats Purring After Historic European Night

Confidence in the Sunderland camp will be sky-high after a historic first win in a European competition in over 50 years on Wednesday.

However, scoring goals continues to be an issue for Regis Le Bris’ team, as the Black Cats have netted no more than one goal in any competitive fixture this season. However, Sunderland will take positives from the fact that they have kept three clean sheets in their previous five.

Enzo Le Fee has been a regular contributor for the team this season, netting twice in five appearances. Habib Diarra and Romaine Mundle are the only players missing for the visitors due to injury. Reinildo Mandava is suspended.

Sunderland predicted lineup vs Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Roefs; Mukiele, Danso, Ballard, Meunier; Xhaka, Sadiki; Angulo, le Fee, Fofana; Brobbey

Manchester City vs Sunderland Prediction

  • Safe Tip: Manchester City
  • Odds: 1.285 (22Bet)
  • 22Bet Booking Code: L9B4Z
  • Correct score prediction: Manchester City 2-0 Sunderland

Key stats:

  • Manchester City have won all five of their competitive fixtures in 2026-27.
  • Sunderland have failed to win in three of their previous six matches.
  • City have won 14 of their 16 home games against Black Cats at the Etihad Stadium.

A home victory is hard to overlook when making selections this weekend. Manchester City have recorded five straight wins in competitive matches this season, and their defensive improvement has been obvious after keeping clean sheets in their previous three.

Sunderland have struggled to claim victories consistently, failing to win in three of their six. The Black Cats have also failed to win in their last 16 trips to the Etihad Stadium, with City winning on 14 occasions over the same period.

Manchester City vs Sunderland Prediction, Value Tip

  • Value Tip: Under 2.5 Goals
  • Odds: 2.375 (22Bet)
  • 22Bet Booking Code: L6F4Z

A low-scoring encounter looks like an interesting value play this weekend. Manchester City’s previous three fixtures have seen no more than two goals, with Maresca’s side typically dominating the ball and using that advantage to reduce opponents' chances of gaining a foothold.

Low-scoring encounters have also been common for Sunderland this term, with their last five seeing under 2.5 goals being scored. The selection has also been a winner in three of the previous five head-to-heads.

Verdict: Manchester City (1.285) — Manchester City 2-0 Sunderland