Sunderland Vs Manchester City Official Sunderland Not606 Match Thread please log in to view this image Stadium Of Light please log in to view this image Having frustrated Chelsea at the weekend, Sunderland could now put a downer on Manchester City's renewed vitality - and with recent Premier League history between the clubs favouring the Black Cats, it's not a fixture that should daunt them. Indeed, Gus Poyet's Sunderland appear to relish these games against the big boys in blue, having beaten Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in April off the back of a draw at City that threatened to end their title challenge. That 2-2 draw at the Etihad seemed to suit neither team but actually sparked both into life, with Poyet's men winning their next four games to stay up, and Manuel Pellegrini's side claiming victory in their remaining five to finish on top. This time life is on the up before the game, and I'm expecting the Stadium of Light to generate a terrific atmosphere as Sunderland look to beat City at home for the fifth successive season. Wearsiders have only had one win to celebrate in their last nine home games so it's understandable if the volume and crowds have been down of late, but the place was certainly rocking towards full time on Saturday. In pure numbers terms, meanwhile, reports of City's 'struggles' have been over-stated, with the champions actually two points better off than at this same stage last season - and with seven more gained away from home. Their accomplished win at Southampton on Sunday showed that those last five electric Aguero minutes against Bayern Munich could have changed the destiny of City's season hugely - at home and in Europe. After a slow start last year, they went unbeaten for 20 games from November to February. It could happen again - and just to add to feelings of sky blue deja-vu, Vincent Kompany's absence might see Bacary Sagna play in the centre of defence. He hasn't played there too often, but he has in Arsenal wins away to Sunderland in both the last two seasons. Match Apointments please log in to view this image Sunderland Team News Sunderland remain stretched defensively with both Billy Jones and Patrick van Aanholt still on the sidelines. On-loan defender Sebastian Coates could make his first league start for the Black Cats. Man City Team News City captain Vincent Kompany is out with a hamstring injury with fellow defender Eliaquim Mangala is serving a one-match ban. This could see Bacary Sagna shifting to centre-back or alternatively Dedryck Boyata could be handed a rare start. Key Men please log in to view this image Sunderland â Lee Cattermole After drawing plaudits for his performance on Saturday against Chelsea, Cattermole will once again be the defensive battering ram in midfield to shield his defence from Manchester Cityâs attacking quality. The midfielder was a rock for Sunderland making 7 tackles â just under a third of total tackles made by Sunderland players â 3 interceptions and blocked 2 shots. Alongside this, Cattermole nullified Cesc Fabregasâ influence on the match and a similar performance against City â particularly Yaya Toure who looked like he was returning to form against Southampton â will be needed to help get something out of the game. Man Cityâ Sergio Aguero The Argentine striker is reaching the form that has seen him mentioned amongst the top 3 players and has almost won games on his own recently â last week against Bayern for example. While Aguero didnât find add to his 17 goals â 12 in the league â at the weekend, his influence was still felt against Southampton. The striker created 4 chances for his team mates with two resulting goals. A conversion rate of 23.5% and a very credible shot accuracy of 63%, Aguero is arguably the striker in the Premier League and given half the chance he can make Sunderland pay. Stats & Facts Head to Head Sunderland have lost just one of their last six Premier League games against Manchester City (W3, D2, L1). The point they earned in the most recent meeting in mid-April came on the back of five straight defeats and sparked a run of form that led to an improbable survival. City have failed to win on their last five Premier League visits to the Stadium of Light, losing the last four in a row. Their last win there was in in August 2008 when goals from Stephen Ireland and Shaun Wright-Phillips (two) gave City a 3-0 win. Sunderland have won those last four home games against City 1-0. Only one exact fixture in Premier League history has ever finished with the same scoreline in five consecutive matches (Tottenham 2-1 Man City, 2004-05 - 2008-09). City beat Sunderland in the League Cup final last March to give manager Manuel Pellegrini his first trophy at the club. Sunderland Sunderland have drawn their last three matches, winning just one of their last six. The Black Cats have gone three home league games without a win (D2, L1), scoring just once in those matches. Lee Cattermole has been booked in six of his last 10 Premier League appearances for Sunderland. Sunderland have been involved in more 0-0 draws than any other Premier League side this season (four), two of which have come in their last two games. Man City Manchester City have lost just one of their last 10 league matches (W6, D3). They're on their best run of form this season, having won their last three in all competitions. City's only away league defeat this season came at West Ham in October. Frank Lampard is looking for his 175th league goal, which would move him level with Thierry Henry in fourth place in the list of all-time Premier League goal-scorers. Yaya Toure is aiming to score in three consecutive Premier League matches for the first time. James Milner has scored five times against Sunderland, more than he has managed against any other Premier League opponent. Previous Meetings please log in to view this image Last Corresponding Fixture please log in to view this image Form please log in to view this image Betting http://www.oddschecker.com/football/english/premier-league/sunderland-v-man-city/winner Links http://www.safc.com/fans/visiting-fans Streaming http://www.wiziwig.tv/broadcast.php?matchid=293065&part=sports
That's some ****ing record against them of late. All been a bonus and as usual expect nothing given their quality and resources over that period. I expcet us to give them a game however.
haha, nee bother [video=youtube;KD_YZ5A7Kh8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KD_YZ5A7Kh8&list=UUa7D1L3S56qH-yoVO09_IEw[/video] [video=youtube;rEL8OnhG0-c]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEL8OnhG0-c[/video]
Certainly looks like it. But it doesn't mean I want to **** my mam and Kill my dad. One would be easier than the other as my dad is dead.
Stupid the scheduling though. Man city away at soton on Sunday. Then opposite end of the country on a Wednesday night.
His theories as both fascinating and amusing though. They certainly say more about him than they do about people. Don't grumble fella. Remember our fixture list at the start of last season? Bout time we had some fixture luck. Got a decent order this year and i'll take Saturday-Wednesday back to back home games all day long. Especially when our Wednesday opponents have been dragged round the country on a shorter schedule
Our lads have got to be up for this one after a good display against Chelsea, I only wish Aguero was out injured. Hawaaaaaaaaaaaaay
Unchanged side maybe? It was interesting that at no point on Saturday did Alvarez warm up on the side line. If it wasn't city id consider dropping Johnson for Alvarez if hes ready. With it being city though we might get AJ with a point to prove. Hopefully this also applies to Rodwell.
Really looking forward to a cold night under the lights in 712 layers, these are the nights I love being at the match. Tough, tough game, City seem to have clicked a little, not as free flowing as at times last year, but the determination v Bayern was superb, and watching them v Saints, a very, very good side on Saturday, they were at times breathtaking with the ball. That said, despite a shortage of wins and goals, I think we are looking a very good side recently. The Saints blasting seems to have galvanized the defence to a point, and we keep shape superbly at the minute, I think this has been the key to the unbeaten run. The defence, generally, has been outstanding, without the individual errors we are as solid as anyone at the back, Revelliere's calm has aided that, but nothing more so than JOS form, a man I've never rated but at the minute the lad is flawless, him and Catts working in tandem really is working out. I can see Aguero's movement making him a chance but I think we can nick it 2-1, if we do, that's us level with 9th and that's a great start rather than the solid one we've had. The atmosphere on Saturday was sensational, I hope we can reproduce that tonight, if we can get the home show on the road and remain solid away a great season beckons for us. I've got nothing negative to put in the pot today, we all know what we need is creativity and we have Alvarez, so what else is there? Hawaaaaaaaaay!
Be nice to see Rodwell give 60%...... Sorry - just think he's struggled so far - I don't necessarily think it's his fault - Alan Shearer suffered a bad knee injury and took about 6 weeks to recover after about a year out - Rodwell suffered injury then basically rejection for 2 years. I do think he's capable just he hasn't shown enough so far
He'll get there eventually. Gus is still wrapping him up a bit with his substitutions but prior to that he gave us a 95% passing accuracy against Chelsea. Only matched by Matic.
Either 1-0 to us or massive payback for Citeh. We had a decent record against Southampton before this season...
He's been way short, but I think we all knew it would take a while. He's a good player, and he's young, and over time we'll get a solid return from him.
