Manchester City host Sunderland in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, with Enzo Maresca's side looking to extend their perfect start to the season, as they head into the first international break of the season.
It has been a perfect start to the post-Pep Guardiola era for City, at least in terms of results, even if performances have not been perfect. They have four victories in four in the league, following last weekend's controversial Manchester derby, which they won 1-0 at Old Trafford, following big VAR drama.
In midweek, City brushed aside Norwich in the Carabao Cup, and in general, are looking like the one Premier League team that could challenge Arsenal for the title this season.
Sunderland's midweek was joyous as they marked their return to European competition with a 1-0 win over AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League. In the league, Sunderland have won one and drawn one of their four league games. Last weekend, they were feisty at home against Arsenal, but missed a penalty before the defending champions scored twice and won 2-0.
Here's everything you need to know about the match:
How to watch:
The match will be available to watch on Sky Sports Premier League in the UK, NBC/Peacock in the U.S., JioHotstar in India, and Stan Sports in Australia. You can also follow ESPN's live updates.
Key Details:
Date, kick-off time:
U.S ET: Sunday, September 20, 9 a.m.
UK BST: Sunday, September 20, 2 p.m.
India IST: Sunday, September 20, 6:30 p.m.
Australia AEST: Sunday, September 20, 11 p.m.
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England
Referee: Rob Jones
VAR: Michael Salisbury
Injury and Team News
Manchester City
Phil Foden, M: suspended, OUT
Jérémy Doku, F: calf, OUT
Sunderland
Reinildo Mandava, D: suspended, OUT
Omar Alderete, D: knock, DOUBT
Habib Diarra, M: hamstring, OUT
Romaine Mundle, F: knee, OUT
Expected Lineups
Manchester City Predicted XI (4-2-3-1)
Gianluigi Donnarumma
Matheus Nunes | Marc Guéhi | Rúben Dias | Josko Gvardiol
Elliot Anderson | Enzo Fernández
Iliman Ndiaye | Rayan Cherki | Antoine Semenyo
Erling Haaland
Sunderland Predicted XI (4-2-3-1)
Robin Roefs
Nordi Mukiele | Kevin Danso | Dan Ballard | Dayann Methalie
Noah Sadiki | Granit Xhaka
Thomas Meunier | Enzo Le Fée | Nilson Angulo
Brian Brobbey
Talking Points
Six games, six wins: Maresca off to perfect start
Of course, City were expected to dispatch Norwich the way they did in the Carabao Cup. Having said that, it's important to acknowledge how City haven't allowed themselves to meander along to start the first season in a decade without Guardiola at the helm.
For that, Maresca deserves plenty of credit. His team have faced adversity in most games they've played so far, particularly last weekend at Old Trafford. But they've come through those challenges.
The next challenge for Maresca and City will be to avert adversity at all. Their performances haven't been anywhere near their best so far, particularly in nervy home wins against Coventry City and Bournemouth earlier this season. The results at the start of his reign will have made it easier Maresca to ensure there is no discontent around the club, but it's now time for City to really get into their work, and put a title challenge together.
Sunderland look to get among the goals
Sunderland haven't scored more than one goal in each of their games so far this season, in any competition. In six matches, they've scored five goals, and that is not the kind of return that will help them achieve their ambitions for this season.
They've shown everything that they did last season, they run hard, they are combative, they are strong enough defensively, however, they've found it tough in front of goal this season. That is not to say that they haven't been creating enough chances, though.
In that first half against AZ on Wednesday night, they should've been out of sight -- such was their dominance of territory and the chances they created. However, they eventually had to rely on a second-half penalty to win that game.
Perhaps there's a change in personnel lurking somewhere for Regis Le Bris to make, but he will want his two big centre-forwards Brian Brobbey and Wilson Isidor to get among the goals, sooner rather than later.