Sunderland faces Manchester City at the Stadium of Light in a key match.
As of 2026, Sunderland is in seventh place, looking to maintain their unbeaten home record. Meanwhile, Manchester City comes in on a six-match winning streak. Sunderland has a solid defense that has managed to hold top teams like Arsenal and Aston Villa to draws at home. The team, led by Régis Le Bris, aims for another strong performance against the defending champions.
The manager is dealing with a reduced squad due to players leaving for the Africa Cup of Nations, along with injuries to key defenders. However, Luke O’Nien is back, and his versatility will be important as Sunderland attempts to contain Erling Haaland. The home side hopes to take advantage of any fatigue in the City lineup, particularly after the holiday season. If they can withstand the pressure, Brian Brobbey could be a key player for counter-attacks.
Sunderland Team News
Régis Le Bris has a strained squad for this New Year’s Day match. Key defender Dan Ballard is still out due to an injury and was unable to play in the 1-1 draw with Leeds. Additionally, several first-team players are away for the Africa Cup of Nations. Arthur Masuaku and Reinildo are both on international duty, which limits options in defense.
Additionally, midfielders Noah Sadiki and Chemsdine Talbi are also competing in the tournament. Habib Diarra and Bertrand Traoré are both progressing in the knockout stages with their teams. On the positive side, Luke O’Nien returns from a three-match suspension, providing much-needed experience. Simon Adingra is likely to be called upon to add creativity from the wings, while Granit Xhaka will support the midfield against familiar opponents.
Sunderland Predicted Lineup
Predicted XI: Roefs; Cirkin, Mukiele, Hume; Le Fée, Geertruida, Xhaka, Adingra, Rigg; Brobbey
When will the match kick off?
The Premier League match is set for Thursday, 1 January 2026, at the Stadium of Light. Kick-off is at 20:00 GMT.
How to watch Sunderland vs Manchester City?
Viewers in the UK can watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage starting at 19:45 GMT.
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