week 3 Sunderland match preview

By: j | August 30th, 2008

Following a dreary victory over FC Midtjylland on penalties, City faces a enormous task up against the Roy Kean-led Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

Shooting straight from the top, in my opinion (and many others) I think Roy Keane is destined for greatness in the managerial ranks. His tactical abilities and styling echoes his own play and I expect the Black Cats to climb the table not just on improved technical play but by simply out-working the opposition. As it relates to todays match, City has to understand clearly that to defeat Sunderland you will need to play with intense passion and challenge every part.

However in facing Sunderland, City has put aside their massive front office problems and have had their hopes boosted with the addition of Vincent Kompany and Shaun Wright-Phillips. The impact upon these two in the City lineup cannot be underestimated, deflects corporate mismanagement and gives Mark Hughes a quality pedigree to work with.

Sunderland comes into the match, like Man City, fatigued from a tough mid-week Carling Cup match. They will miss Steed Malbranque to injury, Michael Chopra to the sin-bin with Kieran Richardson questionable. New man Anton Ferdinand will also be missing as he is not match fit.

From all accounts it appears Jô and Elano will be paired up top for City with Shaun Wright-Phillips and Mr. Martin Petrov on the wings. Time will tell what the role of Ched Evans and Daniel Sturridge will be in the changing lineup but both has shown highly productive play that is deserving of more time on the pitch. Defensively, City have a massive headache to deal with Djibril Cisséa and El-Hadji Diouf paired at striker for Sunderland, in what could quickly become one of the Premier Leagues deadliest duos.

This will be a interesting match, whether we see the opening week stumble against Aston Villa or the goal-fest versus West Ham. Ultimately the new additions of Shaun Wright-Phillips and Vincent Kompany will have an enormous influence on the club.

I will report on the match as it concludes.