Sunderland v Manchester City: Will City start 2012 with a glut of goals?
Manchester City dropped crucial points away at the Hawthorns on Boxing Day allowing Manchester United to close the gap at the top. And it doesn't get any easier for the boys in blue as they take on a resurgent Sunderland side managed by the effervescent Martin O'Neill.
Roberto Mancini's men have destroyed teams this season, but the Italian will be glad to see the back of December. They lost their unbeaten record at Chelsea and dropped another two points at West Brom. Mancini will be hoping his side can get back to winning ways at the Stadium of Light.
City tore Sunderland apart last season at the Etihad, running out 5-0 winners, but they didn't have a great time of it at the Stadium of Light, losing 1-0 thanks to a last-minute Darren Bent penalty. However, with the likes of Silva, Nasri, Johnson, Balotelli and Aguero bearing down on goal, this will be a huge test of Sunderland's credentials.
The Black Cats have moved away from the relegation zone in recent weeks and another win here could push them up to mid-table. They were unlucky not to have clinched all three points against Everton after conceding a penalty that never was, but O'Neill has only lost once as Sunderland manager.
Manchester City's last win at the Stadium of Light came in August 2008 as Stephen Ireland and Shaun Wright-Phillips scored in a 3-0 success. They have the players to do that again and with United getting beat by Blackburn yesterday will they extend their lead at the top of the table or will Martin O'Neill place a huge spoke in the visitor's title dreams? Our pundits think it will be a tough game but that City will come out on top.
Sunderland v Manchester City; Kick Off 4pm January 1 2012
Prediction Panel
|
Arsenal |
Don McMahon |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Aston Villa |
Frank Pattison |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Blackburn |
Terry Kennedy |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Bolton |
Dave Blackburn |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Chelsea |
Joe Tyler |
0 |
V |
1 |
|
Everton |
Chris Goodwin |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Fulham |
Neil Springate |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Liverpool |
Mark Williams |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Man City |
Callum Rothwell |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Man Utd |
Peter Lee |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
Newcastle |
Michael Stout |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Norwich City |
Sue Read |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
QPR |
Arjun Swaminathan |
0 |
V |
3 |
|
Stoke City |
Philip Eccleston |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Sunderland |
Tony Ratton |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Tottenham |
Mike Richards |
1 |
V |
5 |
|
Swansea |
Jim White |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
West Brom |
Andy Wakeman |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Wigan |
Alan Moore |
2 |
V |
3 |
|
Wolves |
Chris Cox |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OUR EXPERTS |
|
|
|
|
|
Writer |
Colin Illingworth |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Writer |
Steve Coulter |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Writer |
Phil Bundy |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Writer |
Mitch Waddon |
1 |
V |
4 |
|
Writer |
Matt Turner |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Writer |
Chris Pettitt |
0 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Hugh Larkin |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
Aston Villa fan |
Lynette Ranson |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
Blackpool fan |
Phil Trow |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Boro fan |
Sue Gardener |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Fulham fan |
Russell Goldman |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Pompey fan |
Dan Taylor |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Pompey fan |
Peter Rendle |
0 |
V |
3 |
|
West Ham fan |
Matthew Beeby |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
West Ham fan |
Nigel Telfer |
0 |
V |
3 |
|
Editor |
Antony Melvin |
1 |
V |
2 |
Panel Verdict
Manchester City are tipped to extend their lead at the top.
Home: 2; Draw: 1; Away: 32. TBA 1
* Do we have it right or do you know better? We’d love to hear from you.
