Match Day Thread Manchester City FC v Sunderland AFC - Saturday 6th December 2025 - KO 15:00

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RTB

RTB

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Sunderland travel to the Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City in the Premier League.
Last time out Sunderland drew at Liverpool and Man City beat Fulham.

Sunderland drew 1-1 at Anfield with a stunning goal from Talbi. The Black Cats had already raised the warning signals as Alisson was fortunate to turn Trai Hume's shot on the bar in the first half before Omar Alderete headed against the post after the interval. Alex MacAllister hit the woodwork in the first half with a rare Liverpool threat and it took a fortuitous own goal to avoid another damaging defeat when Florian Wirtz's shot was deflected in off Nordi Mukiele with nine minutes left.
Sunderland almost snatched victory in stoppage time when substitute Wilson Isidor raced clear, but (cheating) Federico Chiesa (pulled back Isidor and) got back to clear his shot off the line.
Luke O’Nein made his Premier League debut on 90 minutes. Sunderland fully deserved the point secured at Anfield, and few could have complained had they left victorious.
Manchester City held on to win 5-4 against Fulham.
Erling Haaland became the quickest player to reach 100 goals in Premier League history on a night when Manchester City ramped up pressure on leaders Arsenal by fending off Fulham's impressive fightback.
Norway international Haaland got his landmark goal in the 17th minute of Tuesday's game at Craven Cottage, firing in first time from Jeremy Doku's cross.
It meant that he reached the century in 111 league games, 13 fewer than it took previous record holder (****ers hat) Anal Shearer.
Regis le Bris:
“Happy and proud of the lads because we deserved this point, the first half was really interesting both with and without the ball. Probably they were a bit surprised to be dominant like we were, so we spoke at half time about the belief to go all the way because if you can dominate the game like that, then try to score.”
“As expected many players came off the bench and they managed to generate new momentum and acquired the rub”
“We are getting better, and after 14 games we are still learning, we have a really young squad, the shared experience is not big, we need time and they are learning really quickly.”
Presser on Friday at 13:30 ?

Pep Guardiola:
“Did you enjoy it? I lost my hair,” Guardiola said. “I thought the players were happy to work with me … it’s the Premier League. I know you’re going to ask what happened, but I don’t have an answer. Football is emotion – all the goals were bad defending, we go so deep to defend these kinds of crosses, we have to occupy the spaces a bit better, but we made incredible things today because I know how difficult the team is.
“It was impossible for me to enjoy it. At 5-1 maybe, but at 5-4 I was watching the clock more than the game. It was tough and it would have been tougher if we could not get the result, but I will remember I was there. At 5-1 you (the media) thought it was finished. You had written your articles. Tomorrow: ‘Manchester City are back … finally' and after, to the trash. You have to start again.”

Form:
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Match Appointments:
Referee: ANDREW MADLEY
Assistant Referee: Nick Hopton
Assistant Referee: Craig Taylor
Fourth Official: Thomas Bramall
Video Assistant Referee: Michael Salisbury
Additional Video Assistant Referee: Tony Harrington

Possible Team Lineups:
Sunderland AFC: Roefe, Reinildo, Ballard, Alderete, Mukiele, Hume, Xhaka, Sadiki, Le Fee, Traore, Isidor.
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Subs: Patterson, Geertruida, O’Nien, Neil, Rigg, Adingra, Mayenda, Mundle, Brobbey.
Injured: Alese, Cirkin, Hjelde, Diarra.

Man City FC: Donnarumma, Nunes, Ruben Diaz, Guardiol, O’Reilly, Bernado Silva, Gonzalez, Reijnders, Foden, Haaland, Doku.
Substitutes: Trafford, Stones, Savinho, Marmoush, Lewis, Khusanov, Cherki, Ake, Ait-Nouri
Injured: Rodri, Kovacic, Hernandez

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Betting Odds:
Sunderland 11/1 Man City 2/9 Draw 5/1

My two pence:
Not sure if RLB will rest Talbi or Brobbey, but he might tweak something and go with a back 5 – we will see.
Man City are slowly finding their way back to top form, but they showed at Fulham that they are vulnerable at the back and always likely to concede.
On paper they look very strong, but if we play anywhere near to how we performed at Anfield, I can see us getting another point on the board.
Hopefully no yellows for Xhaka or Sadiki.
I’m going for a 2-2 draw

Live Stream:
TBC

Ha’way the Lads
 
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We are Sunderland. Strange going to Man C and not being afraid. If the team can show no fear thats good enough for me.

Obviously we are playing a good team and in Haaland one of the best. He hasnt however come up against a defence as good as ours. I think we can go there and hold our own and once again get at least a point.

Thankfully once again it is RLB who has to decide if there are to be any changes but even with tweaks we have a game changing bench.

Even if the Sky/BBC media want Man C to win we are winning over the independent "experts" and supporters.

Cheers RTB for yet another fab write up.
 
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Another different test for us . I can’t see them getting into a physical game apart from when Haaland has it . A high press against these is full of danger so i see a more cautious game from us .
 
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Too soon, I'm still worn out from last night's rollercoaster!
Got to be honest, my number one priority for this game is for Xhaka and Sadiki not to be booked. Hopefully we can race into an early 5-0 lead and sub them off.

Expecting more tweaks from Reggie, wouldn't be surprised if Isidor starts with an eye on hitting them on the break. Think the result depends on which man city shows up and whatever happens got to remember how Fulham got back at them.
 
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The only thing i can think about going into this game is the Sadiki/Xhaka yellow card situation.
I dont think RLB will drop either of them so we'll just have to live in hope neither pick up a booking. The sooner this games over the better
 
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Thanks again @RTB another great match thread.

Honestly think we could get a draw here, they can be suspect at the back, although the battle between our defence and their attackers will be a fascinating watch.

Most of all no injuries or bookings please
 
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Complete pressure off this one for me
It's the 1 game of the season I fear more than any. Always feel we will have a chance at Arsenal at Liverpool and at Chlesea but City away puts the ****s up me similar to what utd away did in the 90s and 00s. Anyway 4 points from the last 2 games has ensured this is a complete free hit in my opinion so as long as we give a decent account of ourselves a defeat won't upset me at all. More important than the result for me is coming away injury free and without a yellow for Xhaka or Sadiki.
 
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RTB said:
Can't see that happening but it would be good
Click to expand...

We're flying in the league, playing against a brilliant team without much expectation of getting points, for once we have the luxury of being able to rest players because our neck isn't on the line as we're used to, I don't think it's Reggie's style but I would rest them all day long, the derby isn't life or death but there is so much favour and positive sentiment to gain by winning the derby, the lads will literally be magic carpeted for the next month if they can win it.
 
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Man City team news:
Man City have a blockbuster clash with Real Madrid in the Champions League next week, which could play into Guardiola’s team selection against the Black Cats. Last time out in Europe, the Spanish manager made wholesale changes, and his side lost 2-0 to German outfit Bayer Leverkusen. This could lead to more changes being made in the league this time instead, with England internationals John Stones and Rico Lewis, as well as Nathan Ake, Abdukodir Khusanov, and Rayan Ait-Nouri all pushing for minutes in defence.
 
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Thanks for the thread @RTB

My daughter-in-law and her brother grew up with awareness of Haaland. They live near to Bryne where he's from. She said before he became famous, he was up his own arse and nobody liked him! As she's now a converted mackem (she owns shirts and made her SOL debut at the 5-0 win against Sheffield Wednesday), I hope he falls flat on his face for her sake.
 
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Becs said:
Thanks for the thread @RTB

My daughter-in-law and her brother grew up with awareness of Haaland. They live near to Bryne where he's from. She said before he became famous, he was up his own arse and nobody liked him! As she's now a converted mackem (she owns shirts and made her SOL debut at the 5-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday), I hope he falls flat on his face for her sake.
Click to expand...
Maybe that’s why he’s a bit salty
 
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