This Sunderland-Manchester City clash is one of the major ‘bottom vs top’ match that are crucial to one teams season. Sunderland are in the relegation zone and would be willing to do just about anything to get themselves out of that spot.
While a point for Sunderland would be great for them, the Citizens will certainly be hoping to get the three points and move ahead of Leicester City to the top of the Premier League table, something that would please outgoing manager Manuel Pellegrini.
The Managers
Sam Allardyce: The Repo Man
However, as one of the wise men once said, all records are there to be broken, the 61-year-old would be fully aware of the fact that his past record does not guarantee success in the current season. He would be looking for points from any and every game that Sunderland plays and a result against City could charge up the spirits in the Sunderland dressing room, as we head into one of the most crucial parts of the season.
Manuel Pellegrini: The Transitioner
It would indeed be a remarkable achievement if Pellegrini can do the quadruple this season, but what would be even more astonishing than that is the fact that the Chilean would be leaving the club at the end of the season, even if he wins multiple trophies.
However, that is what is expected of Pellegrini right now, and he would be trying to go out of the team with his head held as high as possible…and possibly with a couple of trophies in his kitty.
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Key Battles
Jermain Defoe vs. Nicolas Otamendi and Martin Demichelis
Also, Defoe could be targeting Demichelis, as his age seems to be catching up with him. With Lens, and Johnson playing him through, Defoe could wreak havoc in the City defence. However, the Manchester City defenders also need to cooperate well with each other and not drop back too deep, which would give the Sunderland attackers a lot of space.
Yann M’Villa vs. Yaya Toure
M’Villa is expected to do most of the defending between the two but, being the box-to-box midfielder that Toure is, the Ivorian would also have to do a lot of running to keep his Sunderland counterpart in check in this match.
John O’Shea and Wes Brown vs. Sergio Aguero
Aguero would be looking to get the best out of the two former Manchester United center backs with his trickery on the ball and pace off it. It would be interesting to see how the two defenders mark him, as the little Argentine tries to run the channels between the defenders.
Sunderland AFC
Strengths
- Sunderland are not a side that gives up easily, and they are known for making dramatic comebacks. Manchester City have to always be on their guard, as they try to get a win at the Stadium of Light.
- Cattermole, M’Villa, and Johnson are all more than capable of playing Defoe through on goal with long balls, and this could really hurt a rather slow Manchester City defence.
- The Black Cats have some big lads in their team, in the form of O’Shea, Brown, and M’Villa. Sunderland would be looking to exploit their height, in order to hurt City through set pieces.
Weaknesses
- Sunderland are really poor at defending against pacey wingers, and this could hurt them quite a lot, as both Raheem Sterling and Jesus Navas are extremely fast down the flanks.
- Keeping hold of the ball is something that the Black Cats are not good at, and they are expected to concede a lot of possession to Manchester City.
- Another aspect of lacking pace in defence is that Sunderland would have difficulty in defending through balls.
Manchester City FC
Strengths
- While Sunderland are weak at defending wingplay, Manchester City are experts at attacking down the wings, with quality players like Sterling and Navas operating on the flanks.
- In Sergio Aguero, Manchester City have one of the best finishers in the world, and they would put away even the few half chances that they get.
- The Cityzens also have a lot of potent long shooters in their team, and Sunderland goalkeeper Vito Mannone is likely to have a difficult time.
Weaknesses
- The Manchester City defence has a tendency to fall back too often and this gives a lot of space to the opposition attackers to work with.
- Another chink in their defensice armour is that Manchester City try to play their opponents offside at the 18-yard box, something that has backfired a lot.
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