Manchester City vs Sunderland preview: can Manuel Pellegrini's side bounce back from Arsenal defeat?

A look ahead to the Premier League fixture at the Etihad Stadium

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini

It’s a big game for…

The Manchester City defence: It is likely that City will enter this fixture still without their Captain Vincent Kompany, and the defence looked poor in his absence Monday night against Arsenal, allowing Ozil enough space to get assists on both of Arsenal’s goals. They will need to pick up their performances against Sunderland.

Best stat…

33: The number of goals conceded by Sunderland in the Premier League this season, which could allow Manchester City to bounce back as they would like to following their defeat to Arsenal.

Remember when…

Ji Dong-Won scored a 90^th minute winner as Sunderland bested Manchester City in January 2012, 1-0.

Player to watch…

Yaya Toure: The Manchester City midfielder is a rock in the middle of the park, and has been on a good run of form recently, scoring the Etihad-based team’s only goal against Arsenal. Expect him to direct things all over the field.

Past three meetings…

Sunderland 1 (Toivonen) Manchester City 4 (Aguero(pen), De Bruyne, Mannone (og), Sterling), Capital One Cup, September 2015

Manchester City 3 (Toure, Jovetic, Lampard) Sunderland 2 (Rodwell, Johnson(pen)), Premier League, January 2015

Sunderland 1 (Wickham) Manchester City 4 (Aguero 2, Jovetic, Zabaleta), Premier League, December 2014

Form Guide…

Manchester City: WWLWWL

Sunderland: LWWLLL

Vital Information…

Kick-Off Time: 15:00

TV: Highlights BBC1 10:30pm