Manchester City host Sunderland at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday 20 September 2026 (14:00 BST). City beat Manchester United 1–0 in the GW4 derby; Sunderland lost 0–2 to Arsenal at the Stadium of Light. Erling Haaland (33 FPL points) faces Xhaka and a Black Cats side that have struggled against Big Six opposition at home.
Manchester City: what changed
Pep Guardiola's City arrive off the back of a 1–0 derby win at Old Trafford in GW4. Haaland (33 FPL points, £15.5m) is the default GW5 captain at home to promoted Sunderland; Foden and Grealish link midfield to attack against a side that leaked two to Arsenal in GW4.
Manchester City Predicted Starting XI & Lineup · 4-3-3
Official lineups confirmed 1 hour before kick-off.
Sunderland: what changed
Regis Le Bris' Sunderland travel to the Etihad after a 0–2 home defeat to Arsenal in GW4. Xhaka and Brobbey carry the attacking threat, but away at City is the hardest assignment in the Sunday 14:00 slot — Le Bris will camp deep and look to hit on the break.
By the numbers
- Manchester City are 2nd in the 2026/27 table on 12 points (8 scored, 2 conceded) through GW4.
- Last time out (GW4): Manchester City 1–0 Man Utd (away).
- Manchester City's top FPL asset: Gvardiol (33 pts, £5.7m, 22.8% owned).
- Erling Haaland and Josko Gvardiol share 33 FPL points; Haaland is the default GW5 captain at £15.5m after four goals in four games.
- City beat Manchester United 1–0 at Old Trafford in GW4 — their third win in four and joint-top with Arsenal on 12 points.
- Sunderland have scored three goals in four games and lost both home fixtures (0–2 Arsenal, 1–2 in GW2) — 14th on 4 points.
- Sunderland sit 14th on 4 points with a 3-5 goal record after GW4.
- Sunderland's leading FPL scorer: Xhaka (19 pts at £5.5m).
Where it turns
City's structured possession vs Sunderland's low block — expect 70%+ territory for the hosts; Haaland's movement in behind is the key battle against a Sunderland back line that must tighten after the Arsenal defeat.
Past meetings
No recent top-flight meetings; Sunderland's Championship form does not translate to Etihad survival — City have scored 3+ in their last four home meetings against promoted sides.
Names to know
- Erling Haaland (Man City, FWD): 33 FPL points — default GW5 captain at home to Sunderland.
- Josko Gvardiol (Man City, DEF): 33 FPL points — clean-sheet upside at the Etihad.
- Granit Xhaka (Sunderland, MID): creative hub if Sunderland nick a goal.
- Rayan Cherki (Man City, MID): link play behind Haaland.
- Predictor: Manchester City 3–0 Sunderland.
Score prediction
Haaland runs the show at the Etihad. Prediction: Manchester City 3–0 Sunderland.