Soaring Sunderland to Challenge Shaky City | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City have leaked six goals in their last two matches and high-flying Sunderland will provide them with another stern test.

Unstable Hosts

Following two consecutive defeats, against Newcastle and Bayer Leverkusen, City have returned to winning ways in their last two, against Leeds and Fulham. However, both victories were far from being as convincing as they could have been.

In their most-recent home match Guardiola’s side were two goals to the good and cruising against newly promoted Leeds by half-time. However, an abysmal second half display saw them completely squander their lead. Phil Foden ultimately save the day with an injury-time winner to salvage a 3-2 win.

At Craven Cottage in midweek, the Blues were in an even more commanding position – leading 5-1 shortly after the break. Despite this, they came perilously close to surrendering their advantage again, eventually holding on for a 5-4 victory.

Although City escaped both fixtures with maximum points, alarm bells must have been ringing for Guardiola. The shaven-headed Catalan joked that he had lost all his hair following their last match, but things are only set to get tougher for his side, especially with Sunderland paying them a visit this weekend.

Dangerous Visitors

Sunderland’s triumphant return to the Premier League has been incredible so far. Regis Le Bris’ side may have returned to the big time via the playoffs last season, but they have been lightyears ahead of the other promoted sides from recent years. The campaign is now nearing the halfway point, with the Black Cats still sitting proudly in sixth position – just five points behind City.

Even more worryingly for their hosts this weekend is the Wearside club’s record against some of the division’s best sides. Sunderland have already taken points from Arsenal at home, Liverpool at Anfield and won all three at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge.

Le Bris’ team have proven themselves to be of real quality and particularly capable of punching well above their weight.

AFCON Impact

It is a game that comes at a significant moment for the visitors too, with the Africa Cup of Nations fast approaching. Sunderland will be the team most heavily impacted by the tournament and are set to lose the services of seven players from their first-team squad. Consequently, they need to capitalise on every opportunity to get points on the board, before they find themselves heavily understaffed across the festive period.

A good performance from the Black Cats is also necessary given their next fixture. The Stadium of Light will welcome fierce rivals Newcastle next weekend. It is a date that will have been marked by fans since the fixtures were released, and they will be keen to see a strong outing from their team ahead of the Tyne-Wear derby – a fact that the players will be acutely aware of.

Judging by recent displays, a dominant first half performance can be expected by City followed by a resurgence from Sunderland after the break. With confidence flowing through the Black Cats, Guardiola’s side will face a real challenge to claim all three points.