Manchester City VS Sunderland Match Prediction

Manchester City have a strong head-to-head record in this fixture, racking up a total of 68 victories, while Sunderland have 50 wins against City and there have been just 25 draws.

City have five wins in a row against Sunderland, with a 4-1 victory at the Etihad Stadium last season coupled with a 1-0 success at the Stadium of Light.

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Manchester City v Sunderland: Prediction

Pep Guardiola is expected to bring immediate success to Manchester City, although he has called for patience as he introduces his philosophy and ideology to the Premier League, with Sunderland at home an ideal first fixture. 

Sunderland also have a new man in the dugout, former Manchester United manager David Moyes, who has a lot to prove after being sacked by his last two clubs. City should be bankers for a home game like this, but the opening weekend of the season often throws up surprising results.

Manchester City v Sunderland: Betting Tips

City are priced at 1/5 to get off to the best possible start under Pep Guardiola, while the bookmakers do not fancy Sunderland at all in this fixture, offering the Black Cats at a massive 16/1. The draw is also available at a big price of 5/1, but City should come out on top easily. 

The hosts to win with over 2.5 goals scored in the game is a tempting 3/4, while Sergio Aguero is 8/11 to get off to a flying start with a goal on the opening day at the Etihad Stadium. City -1 on the handicap market is certainly worth considering at a price of 4/6.

New signings Leroy Sane, Nolito, Ilkay Gundogan and Gabriel Jesus will have to wait for their first starts for various reasons as Pep Guardiola takes charge of Manchester City for the first time.

The Catalan coach has hinted he could use Fernandinho in defence as captain Vincent Kompany is once more injured, while Raheem Sterling is set to get the chance to impress on the right wing in place of Jesus Navas and Nolito. Sergio Aguero starts the season as the favourite to win the Golden Boot at the end of the season.

Manchester City likely XI:

Hart, Sagna, Otamendi, Fernandinho, Clichy, Toure, Fernando, Sterling, Silva, De Bruyne, Aguero.

Sunderland also have a new manager, with David Moyes taking over at the Stadium of Light after Sam Allardyce was given the chance to manage England. Papy Djilobodji is Moyes' only signing so far but he is expected to be on the bench, while Jack Rodwell - who Moyes managed at Everton - will be given an opportunity to shine.

The Black Cats are again expected to be heavily reliant on Jermain Defoe for goals, although the set-piece specialist Wahbi Khazri is also a threat. With Yann M'Vila missing after his loan spell expired at the end of last season, Jan Kirchhoff becomes more vital to Sunderland in midfield.

Sunderland likely XI:

Mannone, Jones, Kone, Kaboul, Van Aanholt, Kirchhoff, Rodwell, Cattermole, Khazri, Borini, Defoe.

Sunderland will be keen to impress new manager David Moyes, but the reality is City have a much stronger team and they should breeze to a win on Saturday. Although Moyes will want to see a resilient defensive display as he makes his opening appearance in the Sunderland dugout, it is easy to see City winning this match by at least two clear goals.

Man City have scored at least twice in their last three home matches in the league.