Manchester City host Sunderland at the Etihad on Sunday afternoon with a maximum 12 points from four league games. Sunderland arrive four days after beating AZ Alkmaar in their first European fixture for 53 years.

Ahead of Sunday afternoon in Manchester, new customers can net £50 in free bets with Betfred. Register, deposit £10 using a debit card and place a £10 bet on any sports market at odds of evens or better.

City have won all six in all competitions under Enzo Maresca. They took the derby at Old Trafford with ten men after Phil Foden’s 23rd-minute red card, Erling Haaland settling it on the hour, then swept Norwich aside 5-0 in the Carabao Cup with a much-changed side, teenager Floyd Samba scoring twice on debut.

Sunderland have had the better week. Enzo Le Fée converted a 66th-minute penalty to beat AZ Alkmaar on Wednesday, banishing the memory of the spot kick David Raya saved from him against Arsenal four days earlier. Reinildo’s stoppage-time red card in that Arsenal defeat rules him out here.

Net even more value with Betfred

Follow our link to Betfred and these simple steps to claim your free bets:

  • Register as a new customer using our link – no promo code required
  • Deposit £10 or more using a debit card
  • Place a single £10 bet on any sports market at odds of evens (2.0) or higher

Once your bet settles, you’ll receive £50 in free bets within 24 hours: £30 to use on any Sportsbook market and £20 for win-only accumulators of four selections or more. All free bets expire after 7 days.

A timely package for a Sunday afternoon that asks a lot of a side playing their third game in eight days.

City’s squad depth to tell against a Sunderland side running on emotion

City have played six, won six, and the two most recent tell you why the depth matters more than the run. They won a derby having spent 67 minutes a man down, with Maresca refusing to shut up shop at any stage, then made wholesale changes three days later and beat a Championship side 5-0 with two debut goals from a teenager. Very few squads in Europe can do both inside a week.

Sunderland have earned the right to be taken seriously, and more than they were a week ago. A European night 53 years in the making ended with Le Fée scoring the penalty that mattered after missing the one that did not, and Robin Roefs keeping AZ out late. They also took 33 points at the Stadium of Light last season.

The problem is the arithmetic of the week rather than the quality. This is a third match in eight days, away from home, with Reinildo suspended, against a side who have rotated freely and still won everything.

  • Manchester City to win
  • Over 2.5 goals

Le Bris got the night he wanted on Wednesday, and the bill for it arrives on Sunday.

Understanding the offer

To qualify:

  • Register with Betfred ahead of Manchester City vs Sunderland (18+, UK and Gibraltar only)
  • Apple Pay and Instant Bank Transfer both qualify where linked to a debit card
  • Your qualifying bet must settle within 7 days of registering
  • Cashed-out or voided bets do not count as your qualifying bet

Key terms and conditions of this Betfred offer

  • Free bets credited within 24 hours of your qualifying bet settling
  • Free bets cannot be used on Virtual Sports or Totepool
  • Free bet stakes are not included in returns
  • One offer per customer, household, IP address or device

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About the author

Zack Lane

Zack Patrick Lane is an enthusiastic sports writer and lifelong Aston Villa supporter who passionately follows the beautiful game. With a most improved player award being his highest accolade in youth football, Zack turned to writing about football rather than playing it. Today, he channels that passion into his commentary, while also keeping a keen eye on a wide range of other sports.

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