Man City vs Sunderland - Live on Sky Sports 2

Venue: Etihad Stadium Kick Off: 12:45 Date: Saturday, Oct 6th Match Preview This is the worst possible time for Manchester City to be playing host to Sunderland. In the Premier League Champions' last five League and Cup games, they have managed to pick up just the one win - that was against Fulham last weekend but followed a 2-4 League Cup defeat to Aston Villa and a 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League - a competition of which they are floundering in. They were outplayed at home by Dortmund for large portions of the game in midweek, and should consider themselves very fortunate to have come away with a point. City are looking for their first back to back win of the season, but face a side who took four points off them last season and who were the only team to come away from the Etihad undefeated in 2011/12. The Blues went down 1-0 at the Stadium of Light and 3-1 down at the Etihad, before rescuing a point with two late goals. The Champions have made a lethargic start to their defence of the Premier League Crown, and currently sit fourth in the table with 12 points from a possible 18. Star players such as David Silva and Sergio Aguero are yet to really hit the straps so far, whilst they have failed to keep a clean sheet all season, being shackled with the unenviable record of becoming the first Premier League Champions to have conceded in all of their first six league fixtures. They can go within touching distance of leaders Chelsea today though; with this being the first kick off of the day, City can close the gap at the top to a point, for at least a couple of hours. Team News Midfielder Javi Garcia is likely to miss out for City having been forced off in the midweek Champions League tie against Borussia Dortmund with a hamstring problem. Jack Rodwell made his return from an injury layoff in that match, but was badly at fault in conceding Dortmund's goal in the 1-1 draw. Lee Cattermole is suspended for Sunerland, whilst Phil Bardsley and Wes Brown are both short of match fitness having recently returned from injury. Carlos Cuellar could however return to the side. Head to Head[.] Before last season's draw, Sunderland had lost on their previous seven visits to City. [.] Roberto Mancini's side dropped just two points at home last season; they have already dropped the same number after just three home games in this campaign.