Overview
- Manchester City host Sunderland at the Etihad on Saturday, 6 December, with a 3pm GMT kick-off that will not be shown live in the UK because of the 3pm blackout.
- Pep Guardiola confirmed Rodri is not available as he recovers from a hamstring injury sustained in October, and Mateo Kovacic remains sidelined until spring 2026 after heel surgery.
- Guardiola acknowledged conceding six goals across the last two league matches and urged more solidity despite City's league-leading scoring record.
- Newly promoted Sunderland sit sixth after drawing with Liverpool and Arsenal and beating Chelsea, losing only once in their last seven under Regis Le Bris.
- City are second behind Arsenal after 3-2 and 5-4 wins over Leeds and Fulham, with Erling Haaland topping the scoring charts on 15 goals.