Team news

Sunderland: No Gordon, McCartney, Mensah, Onouha, Meyler

Manchester City: No Koralov, Bridge, Boateng; Balotelli doubtful

City's squad now boasts of a work rate that they didn't possess in previous seasons. Tevez up top, Millner, De Jong, Toure, Barry all guarantee you a shift. That should lead to a genuine re-rating, away from home.

The midfield trio of Toure, De Jong and Barry keep the game compact. Sunderland should find it difficult to get on top of City and turn this into a fixture played at the tempo they would prefer. City have the ability and the tactical opportunity to control the game, even at the Stadium of Light.

This will be a well-contested game, but overall quality makes City big favourites. City's passing statistics and ball retention early in the season have been outstanding. The lack of a history of success away from home leaves the market less decided on City away from home, but we should see them come into their own on their travels with the squad they now possess. 

Sunderland have a few very good players - Richardson, Cattermole, Turner and Bent are all quality footballers, but they aren't well-balanced and they don't look like a side that can beat the best teams, this season.

City will have important tactical options at their disposal: they could bring on players with real presence and there are a lot of individuals hoping to catch the manager's attention. Sunderland will work hard, but a bit more quality in key areas makes City favourites to pick up the points here.

Early in the season, with limited numbers backing up City's perceived improvement away from home, we'll go with small stakes on a City away win.