Premier League: Manchester City v Sunderland match preview

A look ahead to this weekend's Premier League fixture at the Etihad Stadium

Steven Fletcher celebrates scoring the opening goal (Getty Images)

Sunderland travel to the Etihad stadium where a daunting task awaits, as champions Manchester City haven’t lost on their own turf in 32 league games.

The Black Cats will take solace in the fact that they held City to an enthralling 3-3 draw in their last visit to the ground in March. They secured their first win of the season against Wigan last week and will be hopeful of a similar performance if they want to come away with something from this fixture.

City have been uncharacteristically leaky at the back and have conceded 18 goals in 10 matches, if the Community Shield is counted, and are yet to keep a clean sheet. While Saturday’s visitors Sunderland haven't been behind by more than one goal yet this season, so stopping Sunderland, and particularly Steven Fletcher, from scoring will be imperative.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 12.45pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Manchester City 3 (Balotelli 2, Kolarov) Sunderland 3 (Larsson 2, Bendtner), Premier League, March 2012

Sunderland 1 (Ji) Manchester City 0, Premier League, January 2012

Manchester City 5 (Johnson, Tevez, Silva, Vieira, Toure) Sunderland 0, Premier League, April 2011

STATS...

Sunderland have scored five times in the league this season; all courtesy of £14m signing Steven Fletcher.

City are the first Premier League champions to have conceded in each of their first six league games.

Both City and Sunderland are amongst three Premier League clubs who remain unbeaten but neither have managed two wins in succession.

ODDS...

Manchester City to win: 1.25

Sunderland to win: 11.5

Draw: 5.5

TV: Live, Sky Sports 2, Highlights on BBC1 at 10.30pm