Preview: Manchester City vs. Sunderland

Manchester City welcome Sunderland to the Etihad Stadium this weekend following their Champions League exploits in midweek.

The English champions have had an inconsistent start to the campaign, recording one win and two draws in their last league meetings, while the Black Cats will be hoping to get a winning run underway following their 1-0 victory over Wigan Athletic last weekend.

Roberto Mancini could recall Carlos Tevez to the starting lineup after the Argentina international sat out of last night's 1-1 draw with Borussia Dortmund.

David Silva, Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero could sit just behind Tevez in the starting lineup, while Edin Dzeko could drop to the bench.

Meanwhile, Martin O'Neill is expected to keep Steven Fletcher, who has scored five in his last four appearances for the Black Cats, up front, with Stephane Sessegnon providing support.

Recent form:

Man City: DWDDW Sunderland: DDDDW

Possible lineups:

Man City: Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Nastasic, Clichy; Garcia, Barry; Silva, Toure, Aguero; Tevez

Sunderland: Mignolet; Gardner, O'Shea, Bramble, Rose; Johnson, Larsson, Colback, McClean; Stephane; Fletcher

Sports Mole says: 2-0