City did not have it all their own way when they beat Sunderland at Etihad Stadium, but they dismantled them in the end and they are capable of doing the same at the Stadium of Light.
It is hard to see anyone stopping City at the moment, really. Rayan Cherki is a big talent, and with such quick feet. Phil Foden almost scored against Forest on Saturday, and when Haaland draws a blank, like he did in that game, you know a goal is not far away.
Still, Sunderland have the aggression that saw them rattle Arsenal and they are so well organised defensively too.
That’s why they still haven’t lost at home this season, and I feel bad for writing them off so often, but I am sorry to say I am going to do it again.
I feel like City have found their flow so I can’t back against them, but I am expecting Sunderland to put up one heck of a fight.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-3
Tom’s prediction: My heart is telling me one thing, and my head is telling me another!
From my heart, this is the sort of game we just win. I don’t know if we will, but even just the fact we are at home to City on New Year’s Day again really gives me that feeling – I’ve got very good memories of Ji Dong-won getting our winner against them on 1 January 2012.
With my head, though, it is going to be tough. We had chances at the Etihad a few weeks ago but, being realistic, I think we need a full-strength side to get anything from City and we don’t have that at the moment because we have lost players to the Africa Cup of Nations.
We definitely won’t have enough to win the game, but I am never going to say we will get beaten – I can’t do that. So, with my fingers crossed, I am going to say we will get our noses ahead but then City will pile on the pressure and I don’t see us absorbing it and holding out. 1-1
AI’s prediction: 0-3