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Analysis of the match between Sunderland and Manchester City
Sunderland could hardly have asked for a better Premier League return, entering 2026 in a strong position within the race for European qualification. The Black Cats remain unbeaten at home this season, collecting points in all nine matches at Wearside (five wins, four draws), a run extended by a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Leeds last Sunday.
Defensive resilience has been the foundation of Sunderland’s rise, while history also offers encouragement, as they have avoided defeat in their opening league match of the new year for seven consecutive seasons.
That said, a realistic assessment shows Sunderland struggling against top-half opposition, managing just two wins from 11 such encounters so far this campaign.
Meanwhile, Manchester City arrive at the Stadium of Light with very different ambitions. Pep Guardiola’s side are in the midst of their familiar mid-season surge, stringing together six consecutive domestic victories to keep intense pressure on Arsenal at the top of the table.
Their gritty 2-1 win away at Nottingham Forest last time out marked a fourth straight Premier League away victory, underlining City’s growing momentum. The champions are also renowned for their dominant New Year starts, having won their opening league match of the year for 13 consecutive seasons.
However, despite winning 18 of their last 19 New Year openers across all competitions, the sole exception came at this very stadium back in 2012 – a rare memory Sunderland fans will be eager to cling to.
