Manchester City aim to start 2026 in the same way they finished 2025, as they travel to Sunderland on Thursday evening. The Blues enjoyed a 100% record in December, navigating a potentially difficult series of matches with ease, and take on the Premier League’s new boys, who are a bit of a surprise package this season.
The Black Cats were pre-season relegation favourites, but sit seventh in the table and eyeing a place in Europe next season. Victory for them will see the new boys leapfrog Manchester
United and Chelsea, depending on theie results on Tuesday evening.
Form
Despite their lofty position in the table, Sunderland’s form has waned a little over November and December. The Black Cats have recorded just two wins in nine matches, but have also only lost two and drawing the other five.
Sunderland have held Arsenal (2-2) at home and Liverpool (1-1) at Anfield, but lost at Fulham and City. However, they have a formidable record at home, winning five and drawing four of their nine matches at the Stadium of Light, and are the second team to be unbeaten at home after Arsenal.
They have scored 16 goals at home this season, and conceded just eight. Their last home victory was a 1-0 win over Newcastle, but their last outing on home soil ended 1-1 with Leeds United. Their biggest home victory was a 3-0 win over West Ham on the opening day of the season, and have kept three clean sheets this season.
Danger Men
Wilson Isidor is Sunderland’s top scorer this season with four goals. He has had 31 attempts at goal, scoring on average every 237 minutes. His last goal came in a 2-1 win at Chelsea in October, while his last home goal was a 75th-minute equaliser against Aston Villa in September.
Chemsdine Talbi has two goals, as does Enzo Le Fee, Brian Brobbey and Dan Ballard.
Former Arsenal star Granit Xhaka is the main threat from midfield. the Swiss international joined the Black Cats in July 2025 from Bayer Leverkusen and has so far racked up five assists from 18 matches. Xhaka has created 23 chances, attempted 932 passes, completing 775 and has a pass accuracy of 83%.
Le Fee has three assists from 17 matches and has created 24 chances. he has attempted 450 passes, 357 of which have been successful, and has a pass accuracy of 79%.
The Boss
French boss Regis Le Bris is the man leading the Sunderland charge. Having arrived at the Stadium of Light in the summer of 2024, Le Bris achieved promotion via the play-offs, returning Sunderland to the Premier League after an absence of 8 years.
Le Bris has taken charge of 70 matches as Sunderland boss, winning 30 and losing 18, giving him a win ratio of 43%.
Last Time Out
On 5th March 2017, Pep Guardiola took his City side to the Stadium of Light and walked away with a 2-0 victory. Sergio Aguero gave City the lead in the 42nd minute, before Leroy Sane secured the three points after 59 minutes.
