Manchester City will look to extend their perfect start to the season when Sunderland visit the Etihad Stadium today, with Enzo Maresca's side aiming for a seventh consecutive victory in all competitions. The Blues have won all six of their opening fixtures and will be eager to make it five wins from five in the Premier League before the international break.
Sunderland arrive as a physically imposing outfit, built for the modern top flight, with pace and power in the final third. Régis Le Bris has his side well-drilled, and City will need to be at their best to capitalise on Arsenal's 3-0 defeat to Brighton yesterday.
Maresca confirmed that Jeremy Doku is likely to be available, though the Belgian winger may start on the bench after being sidelined with a calf injury since August 16. Doku picked up the problem in the Community Shield defeat to Arsenal, and his return is a timely boost. Aside from Doku, City have no other injury concerns.
Phil Foden is suspended for today's match, serving the second game of a three-match ban for violent conduct in last weekend's 1-0 win over Manchester United. Foden will not be available until City face PSG in the Champions League on October 14.
Maresca is expected to make ten changes from the side that thrashed Norwich City 5-0 in the Carabao Cup, reverting to his strongest available eleven. The manager used that tie to give his full squad a run-out, but today's visit of Sunderland demands a more familiar lineup.
With Arsenal slipping up yesterday, the opportunity is there for City to apply early pressure at the top of the table. But Sunderland will be no pushovers, and the Blues will need to match their physicality and intensity from the first whistle.