Premier League Preview: Sunderland v Man City
Published 17:10 29/08/08 By By Chris Wilson
Sunday, kick-off 3pm
Celebrity predictions from The New Football Pools' pundits:
John Barnes : Draw. Tony Cascarino : Home. Graham Poll : Draw.
Team news:
Steed Malbranque is unlikely to play for Sunderland because of an ankle injury. Anton Ferdinand will not be included in the squad after signing from West Ham this week, as he is not match fit. Michael Chopra is suspended and Teemu Tainio remains on the injured list. Kieran Richardson faces a late fitness check on a rib injury.
Mark Hughes reported no new injury concerns after Manchester City's UEFA Cup qualifier against FC Midtjylland. Micah Richards came through the match without any problems having suffered concussion against West Ham last week, while Hughes will be able to recall Vincent Kompany, who was ineligible for the European qualifier. Benjani Mwaruwari and Kelvin Etuhu did not travel to Denmark while Valeri Bojinov and Darius Vassell are long-term casualties.
Stats:
Last season: Sunderland 1 Man City 2, Man City 1 Sunderland 0
Last five league matches: Sunderland W L L L W; Man City L L L L W
Top scorers: Djibril Cisse, Phillip Bardsley, David Healy & Kieran Richardson (Sunderland) 1; Elano (Man City) 3
Match odds: H 5-4 A 23-10 D 11-5
Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside)
Match facts from Opta:
City have won the last six Premier League games against Sunderland, the last four by a one-goal margin.
Darius Vassell has scored the winner in each of the last two trips to the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland are City's favourite opponents as they have taken 2.63 points per game off the Black Cats, a better return than against any opponent they have played in more than two Premier League seasons.
City have fired in more shots on target (14) than any other team so far.
There have been 28 goals scored in the last six games involving Man City since they beat Sunderland 2-1 at the Stadium of Light in April.
City have lost five and won just one of their last seven away games - that victory though was against Sunderland.
Sunderland have lost five of their last seven home games keeping no clean sheets in that run.
Steed Malbranque has scored five goals against Man City in the Premier League - more than against any other opponent.
Mark Hughes had a 100% record against Sunderland as boss of Blackburn with four wins.
Elano has scored four goals in his last three league games.
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