Man City vs Sunderland: Predicted Lineup, Jeremy Doku Boost and Key Calls for Enzo Maresca
Manchester City go into Sunday’s meeting with Sunderland with one obvious priority, get the points, keep control of the game, and welcome back some width. Jeremy Doku could finally return after missing the start of the season with a calf problem suffered in the Community Shield defeat to Arsenal. That matters because City have looked functional out wide, rather than explosive.
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Enzo Maresca has largely leaned on Antoine Semenyo and Phil Foden in the wide areas, though Foden is suspended after his red card against Manchester United. That changes the picture. It opens a place, and probably a debate. Iliman Ndiaye did not feature in midweek and may now be in line for a first league start for City, while Doku, Allan and Ryan McAidoo are also in the frame.
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Jeremy Doku Return Offers Man City Different Threat
City’s 5-0 Carabao Cup win over Norwich gave Maresca useful minutes and a few reminders. Allan made his debut and scored, Floyd Samba grabbed two, and McAidoo also found the net after replacing Rayan Cherki at half-time. Fine. Encouraging too. It does not mean Maresca will tear up the script for a Premier League match.
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Erling Haaland was rested completely, which tells you everything. He comes straight back. So does Gianluigi Donnarumma after Geronimo Rulli’s debut in goal. Maresca changed the entire back line in midweek after the 1-0 derby win at Old Trafford, and that rotation was practical, not ideological.
Vitor Reis returned to the side after his loan spell at Girona, Abdukodir Khusanov got minutes, and Rico Lewis featured at right-back. The more interesting call is whether Matheus Nunes is again used at full-back in the league. He gives City control in possession, though not always certainty defensively.
Enzo Maresca Has Midfield and Full-Back Decisions
Nico O’Reilly also returned to the starting side after his recent back problem and produced an assist. Even so, Josko Gvardiol was excellent in the derby, and that tends to carry weight. In midfield, Mateo Kovacic and Ayyoub Bouaddi played the full 90 minutes against Norwich, which strongly suggests Enzo Fernandez and Elliot Anderson will be restored in the pivot.
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Cherki should keep his place as the central creator. Around him, Semenyo looks certain to return, while Rayan Ait-Nouri and Allan may drop out. Sunderland’s threat on the left, especially with Malick Fofana now available, gives this game a tactical edge City will not ignore.
Predicted Man City XI vs Sunderland
There is no mystery about the overall shape. It should be a 4-2-3-1, with the usual control, lots of territory and the burden on Sunderland to survive long spells without the ball.
Predicted XI: Donnarumma, Nunes, Guehi, Dias, Gvardiol, Anderson, Fernandez, Ndiaye, Cherki, Semenyo, Haaland.
Doku is the variable. If he is fit enough, he gives City something they have lacked for weeks, direct running and chaos. Against a newly promoted side at the Etihad, that can end the contest quickly.
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