Manchester City v Sunderland
Saturday 13 August
Etihad Stadium
5.30pm
Manchester City
Goalkeepers: Joe Hart is expected to start for Manchester City against Sunderland on Saturday. Pep Guardiola was rumoured to be interested in bringing in fresh competition for the England number one, but as it stands Hart will once again go head-to-head with Willy Caballero for a starting berth. Angus Gunn, the son of former Norwich City stopper Bryan Gunn, will also be hoping to impress having featured for City during pre-season.
Defence: Manchester City have invested significantly in their defence during the transfer window spending an eye-watering £47.5m. Enter John Stones, the entirety of that investment went on luring the England international away from Goodison Park and the Evertonian will be under pressure to impress. Stones, 21, is could partner Nicolas Otamendi or Eliaquim Mangala with Vincent Kompany expected to miss out due to a thigh strain. Two of Bacary Sagna, Pablo Zabaleta, Gael Clichy and Aleksandar Kolarov will form a familiar defensive flank.
Midfield: Like their defence, City’s midfield will also have a new look with Ilkay Gundogan, Leroy Sane and Nolito arriving at the Etihad Stadium – the latter pair can also operate as part of a forwardline. However, both Gundogan and Sane are expected to miss Saturday’s game due to injury. That said, City still boast a wealth of midfield talent with Fernando, Fabian Delph, Fernandinho and Yaya Toure vying for a place in the middle of the park.
Attack: Sergio Aguero will once again spearhead Manchester City’s attack as they gun for glory during the 2016-17 season. City also have immeasurable talent behind the Argentina international with Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva, Nolito and Sane operating between midfield and attack. Raheem Sterling also has a point to prove and Jesus Navas will also play a part in City’s campaign, with Kelechi Iheanacho completing a stunning squad as he looks to build on a breakthrough season.
Manager: Pep Guardiola departed Bayern Munich following the end of the 2015-16 campaign, ending his three-year spell at the Allianz Arena during which time he won three Bundesliga titles, two DFB-Pokal Cups and the UEFA Super Cup. Quite the pedigree for a 45-year-old, Guardiola’s spell at Barcelona between 2008 and 2012 was even better as he guided the Catalans to three league titles, two Copa del Rey wins and two UEFA Champions League triumphs. As a player the all-conquering boss won six league titles, two Copa de Rey’s, the European Cup, the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup and much more. Accolades with Manchester City are seemingly inevitable.
Team news
Manchester City
City will be without the injured Vincent Kompany, Ilkay Gudogan and Leroy Sane.
John Stones and Nolito could make their debuts.
Sunderland
Jermain Defoe has returned to training ahead of Saturday’s game and is expected to be available for selection.
Papy Djilobodji could make his Sunderland debut.
Last time out
Arsenal 3-2 Manchester City
Arsenal came from behind to beat Manchester City 3-2 in Gothenburg but their victory was marred by a late injury to Gabriel.
Sergio Aguero opened the scoring but Alex Iwobi, Theo Walcott and Chuba Akpom scored for the Gunners before Kelechi Iheanacho's consolation.
Arsenal defender Gabriel was stretchered off in added time with an ankle injury.
Borussia Dortmund 1-1 Sunderland
A gladiatorial display ensured a satisfying end to Sunderland’s unbeaten pre-season as the Black Cats held Borussia Dortmund to a 1-1 stalemate at the Cashpoint Arena, Austria.
Nuri Sahin opened the scoring with 16 minutes played after Sunderland failed to clear, but the remainder of the opening period fell flat as David Moyes’ side thwarted the Bundesliga giants.
Changes were made at the break as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Emre Mor injected further quality into the Dortmund attack, but it was Sunderland who crafted the better opportunities as Duncan Watmore failed to produce a finish after racing through on goal.
Lamine Kone made no such mistake and his bullet hea der levelled the encounter on 65 minutes, ensuring Sunderland remained unbeaten in pre-season.
Form (pre-season only)
Manchester City: LWWL
Sunderland: WWWWDD
