Manchester City Vs Sunderland Official Sunderland Not606 Match Thread please log in to view this image Match Appointments Referee:Lee Probert Assistants:G Beswick & A Garratt 4th Official:A Taylor Manchester City can hardly be dubbed goal shy, but they welcome Sunderland on Wednesday after drawing blanks in their last two league games. Manuel Pellegrini's side have caught the eye with a series of pulsating attacking displays in the Premier League this season and have scored more goals than any other team in the top flight with 68. The Chilean will be keen for his wealth of attacking options to rediscover their free-scoring ways against Gus Poyet's men at the Etihad Stadium. A 1-0 defeat at home to fellow title challengers Chelsea was followed by a disappointing 0-0 draw with Norwich City at Carrow Road on Saturday. City's barren run, albeit a minor blip, has coincided with an injury to star striker Sergio Aguero, who missed both the Chelsea and Norwich games with a hamstring injury. The Argentina international has 15 goals in 17 Premier League appearances this season, but he will be unavailable again on Wednesday, meaning the onus will be on the likes of Alvaro Negredo, Stevan Jovetic and Edin Dzeko to share the burden. If recent history is anything to go by then City will have their work cut out against a Sunderland side they have beaten just once in the last five league encounters. That triumph came in a 3-0 win in the corresponding fixture last season, with the last two meetings between the sides finishing 1-0 to Sunderland, including the reverse encounter this term last November. But Sunderland travel to Manchester on the back of a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Hull City at the Stadium of Light on Saturday. In a further blow to Poyet's hopes, experienced centre-back Wes Brown starts a two-match suspension following his red card against Hull for chopping down Shane Long, who was through on goal. However, that loss ended a run of seven matches unbeaten across all competitions and Sunderland are sure to prove a stern outfit as they look to improve their survival prospects. Manchester City Team News City defender Matija Nastasic (knee) has joined the club's injury list ahead of the visit of Sunderland. The Serbian is not expected to be out long but misses Wednesday's contest at the Etihad Stadium along with striker Sergio Aguero (hamstring), playmaker Samir Nasri (knee) and midfielders Fernandinho and Javi Garcia (muscle injuries). Key midfielder Yaya Toure is available after escaping retrospective punishment following an off-the-ball incident involving Norwich's Ricky van Wolfswinkel last weekend. Sunderland Team News Wes Brown will miss Sunderland's trip to City through suspension. The 34-year-old central defender will sit out both Wednesday's visit to the Etihad and Saturday's FA Cup fifth-round tie against Southampton after being sent off for the second time this season - a further red card was later rescinded in November - in the 2-0 home defeat by Hull at the weekend. January signing Santiago Vergini is likely to deputise, while fellow defender Carlos Cuellar (hip) and striker Steven Fletcher (Achilles) continue to work their way back to fitness, along with goalkeeper Keiren Westwood (shoulder), who remains on the long-term casualty list. Last 4 Meetings [table="width: 500, class: grid, align: center"] [tr] [td]Season[/td] [td]Date[/td] [td]Home[/td] [td]Score[/td] [td]Away[/td] [td]Competition[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]2013/2014[/td] [td]Sun 10 Nov[/td] [td]Sunderland[/td] [td]1-0[/td] [td]Man City[/td] [td]Premier League[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]2012/2013[/td] [td]Wed 26 Dec[/td] [td]Sunderland[/td] [td]1-0[/td] [td]Man City[/td] [td]Premier League[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]2012/2013[/td] [td]Sat 06 Oct[/td] [td]Man City[/td] [td]3-0[/td] [td]Sunderland[/td] [td]Premier League[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]2011/2012[/td] [td]Sat 31 Mar[/td] [td]Man City[/td] [td]3-3[/td] [td]Sunderland[/td] [td]Premier League[/td] [/tr] [/table] What the 'Experts' Say please log in to view this image Lawrenson It is amazing that after all the goals they have scored this season, Manchester City have gone two games without finding the net and now this is a match where they need to win, no matter how they do it. In the last week or so, I have heard a lot of people talking about how City boss Manuel Pellegrini has not won much as a manager but let's not get carried away by two bad results. City were beaten by a better team on the night in their defeat by Chelsea last week, and they failed to score against Norwich on Saturday. It happens. I expect them to beat Sunderland, though. The Black Cats shot themselves in the foot again against Hull on Saturday when Wes Brown got himself sent off so early on. It will be hard enough for them to stay in the Premier League anyway but, without discipline, it will be even harder. Gus Poyet has seen what his side are capable of in the two legs of their Capital One Cup semi-final against Manchester United, and also in last week's derby win over Newcastle, but that defeat means it is a case of one step forward, then two back, for his team. Lawro's prediction: 2-0 Merson Man City were flying along, but that defeat to Chelsea changed everything. Norwich suddenly had the belief that they could get a result against them and if they don't beat Sunderland then I think they will struggle to win the league. I watched the Norwich game and Man City were not the strutting team that they were before. However, this is the worst fixture Sunderland could have this week. I thought Sunderland were going to beat Hull at the weekend and start flying up the table, but this should be another defeat and all of a sudden they are bang in the scrap again. If they'd won at the weekend then they could have gone into this game relaxed and tested the water ahead of the Capital One Cup Final. Now they need to try and get a draw and I don't think they will. PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0 Stats n Facts After two games without a win, Manchester City are in real need of a win but so are Sunderland. Opta provides the stats. Defeat by Chelsea in their last match at the Etihad Stadium ended a run of 11 consecutive home wins for Man City and 61 Barclays Premier League games without failing to score on home turf. You can lay City at 1.21. The Black Cats have kept four clean sheets in their last six Barclays Premier League away matches. They are 10.0 to not concede. Manchester City have not lost back to back Premier League home games since December 2008. They are 1.2 to bounce back with a win. The Citizens have only kept one clean sheet in their last five Premier League home matches, shipping seven goals in total during this run. Sunderland are 2.08 to score a goal. Sunderland have gone six on the road without defeat in the Premier League (W3 D3 L0) - this after winning just one point in their eight PL away games (D1 L7) prior to this run. They are available at 15.0 in the Draw No Bet market. Man City have won just two of the last eight Premier League meetings with Sunderland (W2 D2 L4), with all four of Sunderland's victories being 1-0 wins. The Black Cats are 50.0 to win 1-0. James Milner has scored five goals against Sunderland in the Premier League; more than against any other Premier League opponent. This includes his first ever goal in the competition. Milner is likely to be available at 6.0 to find the net. Former Man City man Adam Johnson has had a hand in eight goals so far in 2014 in the Premier League (six goals, two assists); more than any other player. Johnson should be priced at around 8.0 to score against his old club. Since the start of their title winning season in 2011-12, Manchester City have conceded only four goals in the opening 15 minutes of Premier League games. City are 1.55 to be leading at half-time. Betting please log in to view this image
Apart from hoying away the match, in the first few minutes on Saturday, we're in good form and have nowt to lose by having a go. We absolutely have to score, to be in with a chance of a result, and I reckon our best chance is to play as much of the game as possible in their half. IMO we should treat the game as a cup tie and take every opportunity to get at them and throw them out of their stride. Haway Lads, 2-2 draw and back in business
Bit of extra protection for our back 4 by dropping Colback back next to Bridcutt and even replace Jack with Catts if he's fit enough then just play our own game. Trust in Gus. HAWAY!
I'm happy to say, I do! Saturday was just 'one of them days' and we fight on ............ our form up to Saturday, for a relegation outfit, has been excellent and we can do there looking for a result. We have to score so Poyet will need to be brave, inviting them on too much isn't what I'm hoping for.
I do worry when we sit deep. Man City hate being pressed and Gus has turned that into our natural game. I've predicted a defeat in the prediction league but we can certainly get something from the game, or give them a game at the very least. Check out our last 4 meetings with them. Not many clubs can boast those results against these lot.
Ok lads, It's good to see us well and truly focused on footy again. Some cracking opinions on who to play tomorrow night. Whickam or Altidore? Catts or Colback? Giacc Or Borini? So lets have your team peeps. I'd go.... Mannone Bardo----O'Shea-------Vergini-----Alonso Bridcutt------Catts Ki Johnson--------------------------Borini Altidore
If this match was at the SOL I'd have given you a chance. Sadly for you guys, it is at the Etihad. 4-2 to City. AJ to bag a brace
Given your disastrous luck with officials this season I'm surprised there's no mention of Yaya Toure on here, should he be allowed to play in this match?
No. I am utterly gobsmacked that he got away with it. City are becoming the new Man Utd with these decisions
I've just one thing to ask for: Please lads, finish the game with 11 men and give yourselves a chance!!!
Hahaha I did find it a bit weird Bri. I'll go have a look! I trust you all think the FA made the right choice after reviewing all the evidence and cash.
Definitely not ! An out and out petulant kick, should have been a red for violent conduct ! Do you think Cattermole would have been let off ?
I don't think Yaya Toure would have been let off if he played for Norwich and kicked a City player. They've had a lot of good fortune but they've also played some wonderful football, with him being the orchestrator of much of it. I do think you'll benefit from him being on the pitch though, it's good preparation for your cup final, anything else you take from the game is a bonus with all due respect.
Ah it's a minefield mate. I would only have booked him, I would have only had booked Carroll. Neither of them would have been booked at all in Sunday League. I think the sport has gone soft. Neither was proper head butt or a kick. As far as the rules of the sport goes it's a banning. Just don't think it should be. Consistency is paramount so he should have been banned regardless of my feeling.
Agree. With all of it. At some point, along the last few years, lost amongst the furore of two footed/lunged tackles were straight reds, all of a sudden every challenge that is not perfect somehow has to be a booking. It appears the regular foul that doesn't warrant a yellow card is very quickly becoming obsolete.
Poyet's pre match comments Poyet: Team 'must be spot on' Gus Poyet says his side are looking forward to the challenge of taking on Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium tomorrow night. Sunderland head south to take on Manuel Pellegrini’s high-flyers, who sit just two points behind leaders Chelsea in the race for the Barclays Premier League title. The two sides will meet twice in less than a month, with the match-up set to be repeated in the Capital One Cup final at Wembley on March 2. Poyet saw his side take all three points in the reverse fixture on Wearside earlier in the season and says a similarly organised performance is a definite requirement this time around. “We need to be realistic – they have got plenty of quality players and that’s why they’re in the position they are,” the Uruguayan told safc.com. “We must be spot on and do everything right; making sure we’re organised to make it difficult for them. “Saying that, I think it’s a game the boys are looking forward to, having the opportunity to play against the team we will face in the cup final. “It’s a nice game to play.” The Black Cats’ away form has been a big positive for Poyet, whose side are unbeaten in six away league contests, taking 12 points on the road over that spell. “[Away form] has been very important – we’ve been very good away from home of late, probably one of the best,” he explained. “No doubt that has helped the players mentally. It’s going to be another test, but we are still good, still getting better.” He added: “We are going to have to defend at periods in the game because of the quality of the opposition. At the same time we need to be dominant on the ball. “Without any doubt, it’s going to be physical – we will need to be in good shape – but mentally we must be strong enough to go and try, as much as we can, to control the game. “We can’t just let them come forward again and again.” Poyet will need to make at least one change to his side tomorrow as Wes Brown serves the first game of a two-match ban following his red card against Hull. January signing Santiago Vergini was called into action for his league debut off the bench and could be in line for a first Barclays Premier League start at the Etihad Stadium. And Poyet has highlighted the importance of his players being ready to step in at a moment’s notice. “It’s always good to have options just in case,” he said. “That’s why I need the whole team to be ready. “I don’t think Santiago expected to play last weekend, but inside the opening 15 minutes he was on the pitch. It’s vital to be ready to show your quality.”
I would swap Colback for Bridcutt & thats it. wasn't impressed with Bridcutt on saturday like. looks abit weak for me.
