Find out everything you need to know ahead of City's first Premier League fixture of 2026 against Sunderland.

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Manchester City F.C.

·28 de dezembro de 2025

Find out everything you need to know ahead of City's first Premier League fixture of 2026 against Sunderland.

WHEN AND WHERE

Pep Guardiola’s side travel to Tyne and Wear for our Premier League clash at the Stadium of Light on Thursday 1 January, with the game scheduled for kick-off at 20:00 (UK).

The game will be not be shown live in the UK, but you can keep across all of the action via mancity.com and our official app, as well as the key moments on X/Twitter: @ManCity.

Vídeos OneFootball

Supporters living around the world can find out how they can tune in via our global TV listings below, courtesy of liversoccertv.com.

Opposing manager - Regis le bris

Born and raised in Brittany, the former centre-back’s playing career started with Quimper and Ligue 1 side Rennes before he returned to the lower divisions with Laval and KSK Ronse.

After ending his playing career he studied for his coaching badges and then took a degree course in sport physiology and biomechanics. He followed that by taking a university diploma focused on the mental aspect of training elite athletes.

Alongside his studies he guided the Rennes Under-19 squad to their national title, before joining Lorient as a youth coach and then reserve team coach.

After stepping up to his first senior role at Lorient, he guided them to 10th place in Ligue 1, he then left the following season to join Sunderland.

Frenchman Regis Le Bris had an immediate impact after being named Sunderland boss in the summer of 2024. With the Black Cats recording a 100 per cent record in the opening month of the Championship season.

They ended the campaign in fourth place and earned their spot back in the Premier League following a dramatic play-off final victory over Sheffield United at Wembley.

Pep guardiola PREVIEW

The City Boss will look ahead to our Premier League clash at the City Football Academy on Wednesday 31 December.

We’ll have a full written and video recap of what he said available on mancity.com and our official app from 12:30 (UK).

Danger men

Eliezer Mayenda hit ten goals and provided five assists in the Championship last season - including two goals in the play-offs, with one of them coming as an equaliser in the final at Wembley.

The versatile youngster also opened the Black Cat’s Premier League account this season, with his 61st minute goal against West Ham on the opening day.

Enzo Le Fee is a creative force in the middle of the park and the summer signing provided a masterclass against Bournemouth, as he sparked a magnificent comeback from 2-0 down against the Cherries.

A penalty netted by Le Fee halved the deficit before half-time and sparking the turnaround. The win moved Sunderland up into fourth place in the Premier League table, having picked up 22 points from their 13 games so far.

Former Arsenal man Granit Xhaka has been a standout for the Mackems since joining from the Bundesliga and has emerged as a fan favourite since being named club captain.

As expected, he’s been heavily involved and recorded four assists and a goal against Everton so far.

Previous meeting

Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol and Phil Foden were on the score-sheet as City beat Sunderland 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium in December.

Dias’ spectacular hit from 25 yards – just his sixth City goal - broke the deadlock deep in the first half before Gvardiol nodded home a second just a few minutes later.

Foden’s fifth goal in a week made the points safe just after the hour mark, nodding in a magnificent Rayan Cherki rabona cross.

The result marked our seventh successive Premier League home win and moved us within two points of leaders Arsenal after 15 games.

Last time out

We faced Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day as Rayan Cherki’s 83rd minute winner secured a 2-1 victory.

Tijjani Reijnders fired us ahead three minutes after the break when he calmly finished a well-crafted move.

Before Omari Hutchinson equalised from close range six minutes later.

With time ticking down, Cherki who also provided the assist for Reijnders’ opener, drilled a low volley through a crowded penalty area and into the net.

The victory was our eighth on the bounce and briefly took us top of the Premier League before Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Brighton later in the afternoon.

Global TV listings

Supporters around the world can find out how to tune in to watch the match live by clicking here, courtesy of livesoccertv.com.

Listings correct as of Thursday 1 January.

Sunderland v city app coverage

Minute-by-minute text updates will begin in our Matchday Centre two hours before kick-off, while our Matchday Live show will begin from one hour 15 minutes before kick-off.

Shaun Goater and Nedum Onuoha will join Natalie Pike as they offer full analysis before, during and after the action.

During the game you can also listen to live audio commentary from Alistair Mann and Michael Brown while our text commentary continues.

You can also follow the action live with our Matchday Centre on mancity.com and our official app, as well as the best of the action on X: @ManCity.

Make sure to have push notifications turned on, so you can be alerted to key moments in the action, including goals, red cards and the team news.

A comprehensive match report, highlights and Full Match Replay (via CITY+) will follow across the evening.