By Profile – Etihad Stadium, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=49267698
5:30pm – 13.08.16 – Etihad Stadium
Perhaps the most high profile introduction to the Premier League this summer is Pep Guardiola’s arrival at Man City. The Spaniards era begins with the glamour of a home clash with Sunderland. The Wearside club have been something of a bogey team for the Citizens in recent times, beating them 1-0 at the Stadium Light each season between 2010/11 and 13/14, though City have won all four of their meetings in the last two campaigns. The Black Cats have a new manager in David Moyes and the former United man will no doubt be given a hero’s welcome here after the job he did at Old Trafford.
City have won 26 of their 38 home games in the last two seasons and their record when hosting bottom-six sides in that time is W10-D2-L0 with seven wins by more than one goal despite keeping just four clean sheets. Having lost 10 of their opening 14 road games last term, the Black Cats were unbeaten in their last five under Big Sam, but they’ve lost nine of their 10 trips to top-five sides in the last two seasons, though they only trailed at the break in three of these and managed to score in seven.
As a result, we think Pep’s first game could be a high scoring one and while we expect him to get a win under his built we think Moysey’s men should be able to find the net, especially with Kompany once again out with injury. Remember, this fixture’s seen 23 goals in the last five seasons with City averaging exactly three per game.
Recommendations: Man City to Win and Both Teams to Score at 2.87
There have been Over 2.5 goals in the last seven Manchester City home league matches against Sunderland. Over Total Goals 2.5 Bet 1.50
Both teams have scored in Sunderland’s last three away league matches against Manchester City. Yes Both Teams To Score Bet 2.00
