Manchester City are strong favourites to lift the League Cup trophy on Sunday, with the Premier League challengers' fellow finalists a side embroiled in a struggle to survive in the top flight, Sunderland. However, such strange happenings as a big Wembley upset have occurred in recent history, with the Citizens toppled in the FA Cup final by relegated Wigan Athletic last season.
Manchester City vs. Sunderland, 2014 League Cup final: Preview and TV schedule
Sunderland will look to pull off an upset at Wembley on Sunday, as they face Manchester City in the League Cup final.
Chris Brunskill
More from our team sites
What’s more, the Black Cats have been an unlucky omen for City of late; winning both of their last competitive meetings. However, those victories were both at the Stadium of Light, with Sunderland having not beaten the Citizens away from home since a second tier fixture back in 1998. They’ll be hoping they struggle rather less on the neutral Wembley turf.
City will be without Stevan Jovetić and Matija Nastasić through injury, though should have star striker Sergio Agüero available. Sunderland's only pre-match concern is over goalkeeper Keiren Westwood, though even if he's declared fit to play, he'll almost certainly be backup to Vito Mannone. January arrival Liam Bridcutt is cup-tied.
Manchester City injuries and suspensions
Out: Stevan Jovetić (hamstring), Matija Nastasić (knee). In doubt: None.
Sunderland injuries and suspensions
Out: Liam Bridcutt (cup-tied). In doubt: Keiren Westwood (shoulder).
Projected lineups
Manchester City: Costel Pantilimon; Gaël Clichy, Martín Demichelis, Vincent Kompany, Pablo Zabaleta; David Silva, Fernandinho, Yaya Touré, Samir Nasri; Álvaro Negredo, Sergio Agüero.
Sunderland: Vito Mannone; Marcos Alonso, John O'Shea, Wes Brown, Phil Bardsley; Jack Colback, Liam Bridcutt, Ki Sung-Yueng; Fabio Borini, Jozy Altidore, Adam Johnson.
Match Date/Time: Sunday, 2 p.m. local, 9 a.m. ET
Venue: Wembley Stadium, London, England
TV: beIN Sports USA (U.S. - English), beIN Sports en Español (U.S. - Spanish), Sky Sports 1/HD (U.K.)
Online: beIN Sports Play (U.S. and Canada), Sky Go (U.K.)
See More:
