City's Chance to Pull Clear Before the Break
Manchester City can cement their place at the top of the Premier League before the first international break of the season. Sunderland are the visitors to the Etihad on Sunday, and the timing could hardly be better.
Arsenal's Saturday collapse at Brighton — a 3-0 defeat, no less — has left the door ajar. City need only step through it. Kick-off is at 14:00 BST at the Etihad Stadium, and a win would put clear daylight between the Blues and the chasing pack before the pause.
There is a Phil Foden-shaped hole to fill. A red card against Manchester United rules him out, and Enzo Maresca must shuffle his pack accordingly. Foden's absence is a blow, though the nature of the dismissal — a moment of silliness against a weak United side — will have frustrated the manager more than the suspension itself.
Jeremy Doku is back in contention. The winger missed the Community Shield through injury and has sat out all six of City's wins under Maresca this season. The manager confirmed Doku will probably feature against Sunderland, handing City a timely attacking boost.
Nico O'Reilly has had little to show for his three Premier League appearances so far. No goals, no assists. The young midfielder will be eager to change that, though the visit of Sunderland presents a different kind of test.
One curious statistic hangs over the fixture: Erling Haaland has faced Sunderland twice in the Premier League and failed to score on both occasions. For a striker of his pedigree, that is an anomaly worth noting. Sunderland, for their part, will be aware of it.
City's 6-0 start under Maresca has been impressive, but the real measure of their progress will come when league play resumes in mid-October. For now, the focus is on Sunderland — and the chance to tighten their grip on top spot.