Pep Guardiola will take charge of his first Premier League match in Saturday’s late kickoff, when his Manchester City side open their campaign at home to Sunderland. City, who finished in a disappointing fourth place under Manuel Pellegrini last season, have spent big in the summer transfer market and will certainly be expecting to start their title charge at the Etihad in this encounter. Anything other than a victory would come as a big disappointment.
Manchester City vs. Sunderland 2016 live stream: Game time, TV schedule and how to watch online
The Pep Guardiola era starts in earnest on Saturday, with Manchester City taking on Sunderland.
Nils Petter Nilsson/Ombrello/Getty Images
Sunderland just managed to escape relegation under Sam Allardyce last season, and haven’t been helped this summer by unexpected upheaval. Allardyce left to take charge of the England national team after the resignation of Roy Hodgson in June, leaving the Black Cats scrambling around to find a last-minute replacement. There’s optimism that David Moyes was, in the circumstances, the best choice they could have made, but it remains to be seen if they’ll manage to avoid another tough season.
Key question: How well will City have adapted to Guardiola’s demands?
It goes without saying that Guardiola is one of the most talented coaches in world football, though as with a fine mechanical watch, the most valuable things are often some of the most complex. Guardiola’s football is spectacular when executed properly, but when the movement and short-passing game isn’t quite synchronous, it can be easy for opponents to find gaps on the counter-attack. It’ll be fascinating to see how well Manchester City have adapted to Guardiola’s demands.
Recent history
Rather unsurprisingly, Sunderland have struggled against City in recent times. They’ve lost five games in a row against the Manchester club, having last avoided defeat in a 2-2 draw at the Etihad in April 2014. You’ve got to go all the way back to 2013 for the last time Sunderland won, and 1998 for the last time they won on the road -- when both of these sides were playing their football in the second tier. Things are certainly a little different now.
Manchester City injuries and suspensions
Out: İlkay Gündoğan (knee); Vincent Kompany (thigh). In doubt: None.
Sunderland injuries and suspensions
Out: None. In doubt: Jan Kirchhoff (hamstring); Billy Jones (hip); Jermain Defoe (thigh).
City’s summer signing Gündoğan will have to wait to make his debut, as he continues to recover from a knee injury. He’ll sit alongside club captain Kompany in the stands, who is yet to recover from a thigh problem. Sunderland have no certain absentees, but defenders Kirchhoff and Jones, along with striker Defoe, are all in doubt.
Match date/time: Saturday, 12:30 p.m. ET, 5:30 p.m. local
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England
TV: CNBC (US - English); Sportsnet World (Canada); BT Sport (UK)
Online: NBC Sports Live Extra (US); Sportsnet World Now (Canada); BT Sport live streaming (UK)
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