Manchester City v Sunderland: Can O'Neill's men find a way past Joe Hart?
Manchester City had Joe Hart to thank in midweek for keeping their Champions League hopes alive against Borrusia Dortmund. The former Shrewsbury Town shot-stopper was in amazing form, so much so that even Wayne Rooney tweeted that Hart was the best keeper in the world. It's not often City fans agree with Shrek but he was spot on there.
However, City are yet to keep a clean sheet this season and that must be a huge concern for Roberto Mancini. Last year his defence was tighter than the meanest, grumpiest Scot in the world. This year they have been opened up more times than a cheap hooker.
Sunderland were one of the few teams who tore City's defence open last season at the Etihad. They raced into a 3-1 lead and with 10 minutes to go it looked as though City's title hopes were in tatters. However quick goals by Balotelli and Kolarov gave them a point - a point which proved crucial in the end.
The Black Cats finally won their first game of the season last weekend against Wigan and a certain Adam Johnson will have a point to prove when he returns to Manchester following his move back to the north east.
The visitors have not won at City since 1998 but they have given the champions two cracking games in the past three years. Will O'Neill lead his men to back-to-back victories or will the champions show their class? Our pundits can only see this going one way.
Manchester City v Sunderland; Kick Off 12.45pm October 6 2012Prediction Panel
|
Arsenal |
Josh Ben Moshe |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Frank Pattison |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
|
Chelsea |
Joe Tyler |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Everton |
Chris Goodwin |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Fulham |
Neil Springate |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Liverpool |
Dave Disciascio |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Man City |
Callum Rothwell |
4 |
V |
0 |
|
Man United |
Alex Richert |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Newcastle |
Greg Hall |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Norwich |
Sue Read |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
QPR |
John Jaycock |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Reading |
Jon Keen |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Southampton |
Andy Saunders |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Stoke City |
Jack Heaney |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Sunderland |
Tony Ratton |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Swansea |
Jim Barry |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Spurs |
Mike Richards |
3 |
V |
0 |
|
West Brom |
Andy Wakeman |
3 |
V |
0 |
|
West Ham |
Matt Beeby |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Wigan |
Jimmy Shine |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OUR EXPERTS |
|
|
|
|
|
Writer |
Colin Illingworth |
3 |
V |
2 |
|
Writer |
Steve Coulter |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Writer |
Hugh Larkin |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Writer |
Mitch Waddon |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Writer |
Chris Pettitt |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Sunderland fan |
Sarshar Hosseinnia |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Blackburn fan |
Terry Kennedy |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Bolton fan |
David Blackburn |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Boro fan |
Sue Gardener |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Pompey fan |
Dan Taylor |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Pompey fan |
Peter Rendle |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
West Ham fan |
Nigel Telfer |
3 |
V |
2 |
|
Wolves fan |
Chris Cox |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Editor |
Antony Melvin |
2 |
V |
0 |
Panel Verdict
Looks like a home banker for the champions.
Home: 27; Draw: 4; Away: 0. TBA 3
* Do we have it right or do you know better? We’d love to hear your views.
