Manchester City vs Sunderland predictions and betting tips – Will hosts avoid banana skin?

Manchester City are looking to stay within touching distance of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table, with Pep Guardiola’s side five points behind the north Londoners going into the weekend.

Sunderland are enjoying a phenomenal campaign and they will arrive at the Etihad Stadium believing they can get something. What will happen in this one?

• Manchester City to win by a one-goal margin – 14/5 with Spreadex
• Draw at half-time – 19/10 with BetMGM
• Phil Foden to score any time – 13/8 with Midnite

Manchester City vs Sunderland odds

Find the latest Manchester City vs Sunderland betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.

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Manchester City vs Sunderland predictions

Manchester City put their supporters through the emotional wringer on Tuesday night.

Pep Guardiola’s side played some dazzling attacking football to storm into a 5-1 lead against Fulham at Craven Cottage. Job done, it seemed. Time to look ahead to Sunderland.

Fulham had other ideas. Alex Iwobi pulled one back in the 57th minute. Samuel Chukwueze came off the bench to make it 3-5. He then helped himself to another, reducing the deficit to one goal.

In the end, City held on for a precious victory. They remain five points behind Arsenal at the summit of the standings. But having been in such a commanding position, they were made to sweat by Fulham.

“I know you’re going to ask what happened, but I don’t have an answer,” Guardiola told reporters in his post-match press conference. 

“Football is emotion – all the goals were bad defending, we got so deep to defend these kinds of crosses, we have to occupy the spaces a bit better. But we made incredible things today because I know how difficult [Fulham are] – the way we defend and the other ones. 

“But after that Erling [Haaland] had to make the 6-3 but hit the post and immediately it was 5-4. When that happens it’s a question of survive. Don’t tell me how, we need a bit of luck and at the end we take it.”

Guardiola will hope for a more comfortable afternoon on Saturday, but he should not bet on it. After all, City will be facing the surprise package of this Premier League season.

Promoted via the play-offs last term, Sunderland were among the favourites for relegation before a ball had been kicked. Even an eye-catching splurge in the summer transfer market was not considered enough to move the needle.

Yet Sunderland’s approach has been vindicated – and then some. Only a historic collapse would bring demotion from here. It is too early for talk of Europe, but Sunderland are sitting pretty in sixth spot going into the weekend.

A 1-1 draw with Liverpool on Wednesday means they have now taken points off four of the top five (Arsenal, Aston Villa, Arsenal and Crystal Palace). Manchester City are the remaining member of that quintet.

Will Guardiola’s team be able to see off the Black Cats on Saturday, or can Sunderland make another statement against one of the best teams in the division?

Manchester City vs Sunderland betting tips

Manchester City and Sunderland are ready to battle it out in the Premier League this weekend.

Narrow win for City?

Sunderland will make life difficult for Manchester City on Saturday, so the hosts should not expect to have everything their own way.

However, we expect City to eventually find the way past the Black Cats, albeit by a slender margin.

Sunderland are fifth in the Premier League home table, but 12th in the away equivalent. They are not quite as effective on their travels.

As for City, they have won six out of seven at the Etihad Stadium, while no one has scored as many goals on their own patch.

City’s attacking firepower should see them to victory this weekend.

Back Manchester City to win by a one-goal margin at 14/5 with Spreadex

Tight first half

Manchester City came flying out of the traps against Fulham, holding a 3-0 lead at half-time.

We do not envisage a repeat here, however. Sunderland know how to dig in. They will get men behind the ball and challenge aggressively in their own half in a bid to keep City at bay.

It is interesting to note that Sunderland have gone in level at the break in five of their seven away games up to now – the highest such figure in the league.

Do not be surprised if there is nothing separating these two teams after 45 minutes.

Tip a draw at half-time at 19/10 with BetMGM

Foden in fine form

Phil Foden endured an off-year in 2024/25, but he has looked back to his best in recent weeks.

The England international notched a brace against Fulham in midweek, which means he has now scored four goals in his last two appearances. 

Erling Haaland is the obvious pick in the anytime scorer market, but there is not much value to be had in backing the Norwegian given his phenomenal record this season.

We therefore recommend putting your money on Foden making the net ripple against Sunderland.

Back Phil Foden to score any time at 13/8 with Midnite

Manchester City vs Sunderland predicted lineups

• Manchester City expected lineup: Donnarumma; Nines, Stones, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Gonzalez, Reijnders; Cherki, Foden, Doku; Haaland.
• Sunderland expected lineup: Roefs; Hume, Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Reinildo; Xhaka, Sadiki; Talbi, Isidor, Le Fee.

Where to watch Manchester City vs Sunderland

• Location: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England.
• Date and time: Saturday 6th December, 3pm.
• How to watch: Not being shown live in the UK.

More Premier League predictions

We have plenty more Premier League predictions and picks – find our latest betting tips from expert punters in our match preview overview.

About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

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