Manchester City Favored to Beat Sunderland, Not Draw, at Etihad

Jeremy Doku's calf injury has kept him out since the Community Shield, but Enzo Maresca says the winger can probably return for Sunday's visit of Sunderland, adding fresh legs to a City side already boasting Erling Haaland, who has four goals from sixteen shots this season. That depth is central to why a draw looks unlikely here. Sunderland travel to the Etihad missing Romaine Mundle, sidelined for months with a knee injury the club hopes will heal by year's end, along with Habib Diarra, recovering and expected back after the international break, and the suspended Reinildo Mandava. With Doku potentially adding another attacking outlet, City look built to press for a win rather than settle for parity. The one thing to watch is Sunderland's makeshift midfield finding an unexpected foothold early, which could tighten the game and push it toward the stalemate this forecast plays down.