David Moyes has urged Sunderland to take advantage of Manchester City’s split focus when Pep Guardiola’s side come to town.
Besides tracking down Premier League leaders Chelsea, the Citizens remain in the hunt for silverware on other fronts including the Emirates FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League.
Sunderland, meanwhile, have one goal and one goal only – survival.
And speaking to safc.com, Moyes challenged his side to punish City if they take their eyes off the ball.
“We know how tough it’s going to be; I was able to see a great game against Monaco so we know what they’re capable of, and I think everyone expected that at the start of the season.
“They have top players but we need to make sure we do everything we can to nullify them and get something from the game.”
He continued: “They have a busy programme and that in itself can be a real negative because they have to come up here lots of other games on the horizon.
“Against Liverpool and Tottenham we played well and I think the players did well, so we have to make sure we do well again.
“The players are doing everything they possibly can to stay in the Premier League
“They are doing everything they can in their training and giving everything in their games, and if we keep doing that we’ll have a great chance.
“Look, we know it’s a tough game but we know that we can go and give it a real go.
“I think we’re probably going to have to have to win one or two of these games in the run-in, so why not this one!”