Preview: Sunderland vs. Manchester City

Manchester City travel to Sunderland on Boxing Day looking to continue their unbeaten Premier League away record.

A last-minute victory against Reading last weekend took the Citizens to within four points of rivals Manchester United, who are the only side to have defeated Roberto Mancini's men in the top flight this season.

Captain Vincent Kompany and Mario Balotelli could return to the City squad after recovering from a groin injury and illness respectively, but Samir Nasri is a long-term absentee.

Full-back pair Gael Clichy and Aleksander Kolorov are both doubtful, meaning that 18-year-old Karim Rekik could again deputise on the left side of defence.

Adam Johnson moved to Sunderland from the Etihad Stadium in the summer but may miss the clash with his former club after suffering a dead leg in the win at Southampton.

A knee injury could rule out Sebastian Larsson, but David Meyler has returned from a loan spell with Hull City to strengthen Martin O'Neill's midfield options.

Recent form

Sunderland: WLWLLD

Man City: WWDLWD

Possible starting lineups:

Sunderland: Mignolet; Bardsley, O'Shea, Cuellar, Rose; McClean, Colback, Gardner, Vaughan; Sessegnon; Fletcher

Man City: Hart; Zabaleta; Kompany, Nastasic, Rekik; Barry, Yaya Toure, Milner, Silva; Aguero Tevez

Sports Mole says: 1-1