Man City vs Sunderland lineups are taking shape ahead of Sunday’s Premier League game at the Etihad Stadium. Erling Haaland is expected to lead Manchester City’s attack, with Brian Brobbey projected to start up front for Sunderland. The teams below are expected XIs, not confirmed selections.
Manchester City and Sunderland meet at 4:00 PM EAT on 20 September 2026. Both are projected to use a 4-2-3-1, but the final team sheets could change before kick-off. Follow the latest confirmed lineups and match updates on SP Score.
Man City vs Sunderland Match Details
| Match detail | Information |
| Fixture | Manchester City vs Sunderland |
| Competition | Premier League 2026/27 — Matchweek 5 |
| Date | Sunday, 20 September 2026 |
| Kick-off | 4:00 PM EAT (2:00 PM BST) |
| Venue | Etihad Stadium, Manchester |
| Team sheets | Expected XIs; official teams not yet verified |
City are back in league action after their midweek Carabao Cup win over Norwich, while Sunderland arrive following a Europa League victory against AZ Alkmaar. For the wider buildup and head-to-head record, read our Man City vs Sunderland match preview.
Expected Manchester City Starting XI vs Sunderland
Manchester City’s expected starting XI has Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal, with Matheus Nunes, Marc Guéhi, Rúben Dias and Joško Gvardiol across the back. Elliot Anderson and Enzo Fernández are the projected midfield pair, while Antoine Semenyo, Rayan Cherki and Iliman Ndiaye support Haaland.
| No. | Player |
| 1 | Gianluigi Donnarumma (GK) |
| 27 | Matheus Nunes |
| 6 | Marc Guéhi |
| 3 | Rúben Dias |
| 24 | Joško Gvardiol |
| 17 | Enzo Fernández |
| 5 | Elliot Anderson |
| 42 | Antoine Semenyo |
| 10 | Rayan Cherki |
| 7 | Iliman Ndiaye |
| 9 | Erling Haaland |
The proposed shape puts Cherki behind Haaland, with Semenyo and Ndiaye as the wider attacking options. These names remain provisional until the club publishes its team sheet.
READ ALSO: Manchester City fixtures and upcoming matches
Expected Sunderland Starting XI vs Manchester City
Sunderland’s expected starting XI begins with Robin Roefs. Nordi Mukiele, Kevin Danso, Dan Ballard and Dayann Methalie are projected in defence; Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki sit in midfield. Thomas Meunier, Enzo Le Fée and Nilson Angulo are listed behind Brobbey in the supplied projection.
| No. | Player |
| 22 | Robin Roefs (GK) |
| 20 | Nordi Mukiele |
| 4 | Kevin Danso |
| 5 | Dan Ballard |
| 6 | Dayann Methalie |
| 34 | Granit Xhaka |
| 27 | Noah Sadiki |
| 12 | Thomas Meunier |
| 28 | Enzo Le Fée |
| 10 | Nilson Angulo |
| 9 | Brian Brobbey |
The projected 4-2-3-1 gives Xhaka and Sadiki the central pairing, with Brobbey the focal point. The final wide positions and starting personnel depend on Régis Le Bris’s official selection.
READ ALSO: Sunderland’s confirmed lineup against Arsenal last week
Team News, Absences and Lineup Questions
Man City vs Sunderland team news centres on two suspensions. Phil Foden is unavailable for City following his red card against Manchester United; Reinildo Mandava is suspended for Sunderland. Habib Diarra and Romaine Mundle are also listed as injured in the supplied team news.
Foden’s absence creates an opening in City’s attacking line, with Ndiaye among the options. Methalie is listed in Sunderland’s projected back four in Reinildo’s absence. The starting teams will show which changes the managers actually make.
For the live score and substitutions after kick-off, use SP Score. You can check available football odds and match markets on SportPesa Kenya’s football page. 18+. Bet responsibly.
READ ALSO: Manchester City’s squad and season coverage
Man City vs Sunderland Lineups FAQs
Are the Man City vs Sunderland lineups official?
Not yet. The supplied team sheet labels both XIs as predicted. The official starting teams and substitutes still need confirmation.
What is the predicted Manchester City lineup?
Donnarumma; Nunes, Guéhi, Dias, Gvardiol; Anderson, Enzo Fernández; Semenyo, Cherki, Ndiaye; Haaland.
What is the predicted Sunderland lineup?
Roefs; Mukiele, Danso, Ballard, Methalie; Xhaka, Sadiki; Meunier, Le Fée, Angulo; Brobbey.
READ ALSO: Brighton vs Arsenal LIVE: Score, Lineups and Match Updates
Conclusion.
Man City vs Sunderland lineups remain provisional, with Haaland and Brobbey expected to lead their attacks. The confirmed team sheets will settle the final selections before kick-off. Follow more Premier League coverage on SportPesa Kenya.
