Fan Focus: What Can Sunderland Expect From Manchester City Today?

Since beating Sunderland, City put three past Palace and West Ham, before winning away at Nottingham Forest. Is there a feeling that another long Guardiola winning run is on the march?

I definitely think so. We’ve won our last eight games in all competitions and, most importantly, the defence is looking pretty solid at the moment.

We’re a bit thin in terms of squad depth at the moment due to AFCON and other injuries, so we need to get through this busy Christmas period and hope to get some bodies back.

At the moment City aren’t playing with traditional wingers, as more technically gifted players Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki are operating behind Erling Haaland. What is making this current system so effective?

I wouldn’t say the system is particularly effective.

I think we looked more threatening with Doku on the left and Foden/Cherki on the right. Savinho is deemed too volatile to start regularly instead of Doku, so I think Pep is just trying to play as many of his in-form players as he can.

Cherki himself seems to have fully settled now, assisting twice against Sunderland last time out. Aged just 22 it seems you really have picked up a more old-school player full of tricks who is simply a joy to watch haven’t you?

Yeah Cherki has been great so far.

He’s adapted to the Premier League so quickly, and the physical change he underwent when he was injured near the start of the season shows he has the dedication and work rate to match his talent.

One player who is catching everyone’s eye this season is Nico O’Reilly, who is emerging as a candidate to be England’s starting left-back at the World Cup. Who makes him so good?

O’Reilly embodies everything needed in the modern player.

He is a physical freak, but also extremely technically and tactically intelligent.

The transfer market opens on the day our two sides meet. Are you expecting City to be active and where would you like to see more depth added?

The arrival of Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth looks highly likely, but I’m not sure about any other incomings.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Oscar Bobb departs in January.

I did notice that City had a weaker than usual bench against Forest at the weekend. With the games coming thick and fast, do you think that could be an issue?

A lack of depth could definitely be a problem. Losing two players to AFCON isn’t ideal, but who am I to tell a Sunderland fan about losing players to AFCON!

We just need to hope that the s&c team and Pep manage the players’ workloads accordingly.

Sunderland are unbeaten at the Stadium of Light this season, if you were Regis Le Bris, how would you set up to beat Man City?

I think you still look to make games against us as transitional as possible. Although we’re much more secure than we were during that horrible run last season, it is still our weakest area.

How do you think Guardiola will set up tactically at the Stadium of Light?

Pep rarely alters his style of play for the opposition, and I do not see any reason why Thursday’s game will be any different.

We will likely play the 4-3-3 system that we have played in recent weeks, with the wingers coming inside in possession and the full-backs pushing high up the pitch and holding the width. Savinho’s inclusion could change this.

Are any players missing and what do you think Guardiola’s starting XI will be?

The same six players that were injured against Forest will likely be unavailable on Thursday.

I’d expect us to go with a similar starting XI, with Savinho potentially coming in for Reijnders and Foden moving into midfield.

(4-3-2-1) Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Silva, Gonzalez, Foden, Savinho, Cherki, Haaland.

I can’t think of Man City at home without thinking of that famous Ji winner – what is your score prediction for this time around?

I expect us to win two nil. I have faith in our defence to keep your relatively blunt attack quiet, even with the home fans roaring on, and our attack is comfortably the best in the league, so should be able to penetrate your defence as it did a few weeks ago.