Sunderland vs Man City - Where The Match Will Be Won & Lost

Sunderland will take on Manchester City at the Stadium of Light this afternoon knowing they need to recapture form...and fast! They've have had a disastrous start to the season - derby victory aside of course. But coming up against a side that contains some of the best players in the sport can be a daunting task, especially when luck has not been on their side of late. Both teams have their own positives and negatives in terms of positions, but it's where these players will dictate where most of the action andwhere the game could be won and lost - it's simple, midfield. Some will say that City's attacking players will play the main part of where the action will take place - you could be right but where would the attackers receive the ball in order for them to attack? You can't see Samir Nasri running the length of the pitch every time there was a break. That would be impressive as well as tiring to watch. Sunderland have Jack Colback at their playmaker with Ki Sung-Yueng the man pulling the strings with the ball as they begin a counter attack, City have Yaya Toure and Jesus Navas. This will be either a display of sheer quality from either midfielder or a flat, inconsistent performance. It's really difficult to say if Colback will step-up his game against such a powerful playmaker such as Toure, just look at his Ivorian's goals and ability to shrug off challenges. Colback has yet to score this season, but that's due to being played at left back for most of the season via Paolo Di Canio. He has impressed new boss Gus Poyet enough to play him in his best position, centre midfield. Although he is not of the same calibre of Toure, his attitude and do or die attitude show's he is the kind of player that fears no-one, which is why this battle could be an interesting one. However, if Adam Johnson does get a start against his old club, it will be interesting how the midfielder will go about his business on the wings as too will his Italian team-mate, Emanuele Giaccherini. Both players can play at either side, with Johnson preferring the right hand side, this gives him the ability to come inside onto his left foot. He will have to go against the ever pacey Navas, who has shown he can do it in La Liga with Sevilla FC, but has yet to really produce in the Premier League so far. Not to doubt his ability of course, the man can torture any fullback with his trickery and speed down the channels €“ rather like Theo Walcott but a little bit more polished with his final delivery. It's these key positions where the hard work will take place and will see where the game will be won, lost or drawn. The Black Cats do have the talent there to test The Sky Blues, but they have to be at the top of their game in order to expose any chink in their armour. City will dominate the centre of the park and will not allow their opponents a sniff of the ball if they can help it. It will be where most of the goals will come if not, will be scored from.