Sunderland will be pose a real test for Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium today | OneFootball

Manchester City is building into the 25/26 season. They sit second on the Premier League table and have begun their Champions League campaign well despite their recent hiccup against Bayer Leverkusen in their most recent match. They have also made it to the quarter-final stage of the Carabao Cup. Despite being well-placed to launch into a critical stage of this season, you do sense that Pep Guardiola’s side needs to start going up a gear. Today’s match against Sunderland could be the ideal setting for City to begin to climb through the gears.

City will face a tough Sunderland side at the Etihad today who are an imposing outfit and have impressed with their play this season. They’ll pose a tough test for Pep Guardiola’s side at the Etihad today.

Sunderland has built a team that is well-suited to the Premier League.

Since being promoted back to the Premier League this season Sunderland have caught the eye from the moment they played their first game this season. They were also shrewd operators in the summer transfer market. The Black Cats brought in players who were physically capable of thriving in the Premier League and they have done exactly that this season. After fourteen matches Sunderland sit sixth in the Premier League table which is testament to their strong play so far this season.

Sunderland manager Régis Le Bris has built a physically imposing and athletic team that looks to have the physical capabilities to worry Pep Guardiola’s side today. Régis Le Bris’ side at times does sit deep defensively and looks to hit on the counter with their pace, power and creativity in the final third. They are a major threat at set pieces with their size and that will be a threat that Pep Guardiola’s side will need to quell. Everything about this Sunderland side looks well built to get at City today. How Manchester City perform against a physically imposing outfit will be fascinating to watch unfold.

Manchester City will have to be on their game at the Etihad.

Given the quality in Sunderland’s ranks and how impressive they’ve been so far this season, Manchester City will have to be on their game at the Etihad today. Pep Guardiola’s side suffered lapses against Leeds and Fulham that almost cost them points. They cannot afford to suffer those lapses today. Régis Le Bris’ team look to be well-suited to exploit such lapses from City if they occur today.

It would appear likely that Manchester City have to put in a strong performance at the Etihad today to overcome a tough Sunderland side. The Black Cats have quickly settled into life in the Premier League and they’ll be eager to beat City today. The scene is set for a tight contest at the Etihad ans if City can go up a gear today it could set them up for the next critical run of fixtures.