Manchester City vs Sunderland Prediction: City’s strong home form to continue

Manchester City survived a late scare to hold onto three points in their dramatic 5-4 victory at Fulham on Tuesday in the Premier League. The Citizens return to the Etihad on Saturday (15:00 GMT) as Sunderland make the trip after taking a point at Liverpool.

Below you will find my Man City vs Sunderland predictions, alongside the latest match odds and team news.

Team News

Rodri (knock) and Mateo Kovacic (ankle) remain out of action for Man City, but other than that, Pep Guardiola has everyone else available as the hectic festive schedule looms.

Nico Gonzalez has been anchoring the midfield for the past eight games in all competitions. He was an early departure at Fulham, likely to give him some rest ahead of another start on Saturday.

Abdukodir Khusanov, Rico Lewis, Rayan Ait-Nouri, John Stones and Nathan Ake may be considered for minutes here as City head to Real Madrid in the Uefa Champions League on Wednesday.

Erling Haaland struck his 100th Premier League goal on Tuesday in just his 110th appearance - making him the fastest player in history to the milestone.

Premier League Odds

Sunderland remain without the services of Habib Diarra (groin), Aji Alese (shoulder), Leo Hjelde (Achilles) and Dennis Cirkin (wrist) due to injury.

Captain Granit Xhaka and fellow midfielder Noah Sadiki are both walking a disciplinary tightrope heading into this clash as both are one yellow card away from a one-game suspension.

Today's Football Fixtures

Manchester City vs Sunderland Odds

With six wins from seven at home in the league, Man City are 2/9 to come out on top on Saturday. Four of their last five fixtures in the top flight have seen both teams score. Adding BTTS - Yes to the selection generates a 7/4 (implied probability of 36.4%) price.

BTTS - Yes on its own is available at an attractive 1/1.

Sunderland have drawn three of their past five outings in the Premier League and the stalemate is on offer at 11/2. The Black Cats are 12/1 to come away with the three points.

Match Result & BTTS - Manchester City & Yes @ 7/4

I have been impressed with Sunderland so far this season, and I was surprised by just how many people pegged them for relegation candidates before a ball was kicked. Regis Le Bris' side sit fourth in the table, just one point outside the Champions League places.

They earned a respectable draw at Liverpool in the week but they will be disappointed it wasn't three as the Reds are very much there for the taking right now. I predict this will be a tougher away trip for the Mackems, but I must admit I did consider covering City or draw and BTTS - Yes after the Citizens almost choked at Craven Cottage.

But the truth is they are a lot stronger at the Etihad, with six wins from seven in the league so far, with only league leaders Arsenal picking up more points at home. After two games already this week, we may see some tired legs in the Sunderland ranks, while City boss Guardiola has the luxury of strength in depth.

I am expecting another tough game for City but I think they should have enough to win this clash, and I think both teams will score as this has occurred in four of the hosts' previous five outings in the top flight.

Anytime Goalscorer - Phil Foden @ 7/5

Is it just me or does it seem like it is always this time of the season when Phil Foden comes alive? The midfielder has been showing us some of his best stuff in the past week with four goals equally across the last two matches against Leeds United and Fulham.

The Englishman should be brimming with confidence heading into the weekend and I fancy him to deliver some more magic when Sunderland come to town. Foden is very much stealing the limelight from goal machine Haaland at the moment but the Norwegian won't mind so much.

Guardiola will be delighted as more of his players need to share the goal burden, which Haaland has largely shouldered in the first few months of the season.

Given the mood he is in, 7/5 offers great value for Foden to find the net for a third-straight match.

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