Sunderland are an excellent side who can compete with any opponent when they perform at their best.
The Black Cats are powerful and resilient, and their aggressive pressing can make them extremely difficult to handle.
Those qualities suggest Manchester City will face a very challenging contest.
Their derby success was an outstanding achievement and represented Maresca’s most significant result as manager so far, particularly because of how it was secured.
Iliman Ndiaye demonstrated the value of his signing after replacing Rayan Cherki during the second half at Old Trafford, giving the team a different kind of attacking option.
Cherki tends to operate as an inside forward, either in the number 10 role or from a narrow position, and his close control makes him remarkably difficult to dispossess.
Ndiaye offers more defensive support and is also better suited to carrying the ball forward, making him exactly the player City required after being reduced to 10 men.
United may feel unfortunate because City’s winning goal should not have stood, although City still produced the stronger performance after going down to 10 players.
Maresca’s side will face a completely different challenge here because they must find a way through Sunderland’s defence, but the match is unlikely to be entirely one-sided.
Even so, I expect City to secure the victory, which is essential if they want to remain in the title race. At present, they appear to be the only side capable of matching Arsenal’s pace.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-1
Johnny on former manager Pep Guardiola, who left his position during the summer, and the City players he admires most: Nobody thought Pep would remain in charge for a decade, so his departure was easier to accept, and I wish him well. Beyond all the trophies he delivered, supporters adored him because of his genuine affection for Manchester.
Dennis Tueart was my childhood hero, and I believe his ability would have suited the modern game. So many exceptional players have represented the club over the past 12 years that choosing is difficult, but Vincent Kompany, Sergio Aguero and David Silva are among my favourites. Kevin De Bruyne ranks above them all, however, because he is the finest player I have watched in a City shirt.
Johnny’s prediction: 3-0
AI’s prediction: 4-0
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