In the wake of Sunday's 3-2 defeat away at Liverpool, the Premier League title race is no longer in Manchester City's hands.
They have two games in hand on the Merseysiders, one of which will be played against Sunderland on Wednesday night, but even if they were to win both, the Citizens would still be one point worse off than the leaders.
However, if they are to keep pace with Liverpool with a victory over the Black Cats at the Etihad Stadium, they will have to do so without the services of midfielder Yaya Toure. The Ivorian has picked up a leg injury that manager Manuel Pellegrini has hinted could keep him out for the remainder of the campaign.
Captain Vincent Kompany is also a doubt because of a knee complaint, which could see Joleon Lescott promoted to the starting lineup along with James Milner, who impressed from the bench against Liverpool. Sergio Aguero is also fit again and may lead the attack, with Edin Dzeko dropped to the bench.
As for visiting Sunderland, their time as a Premier League club appears to rapidly running out. Like City they have played two games fewer than their direct rivals, but they are seven points from safety.
In terms of selection, Gus Poyet will be without striker Steven Fletcher, which should hand another opportunity to England Under-21 international Connor Wickham. In midfield, Liam Bridcutt may also return, potentially at the expense of Jack Colback.
These two sides met in the final of the League Cup last month, with City coming out on top 3-1 at Wembley.
Recent form
Man City: WWWDWL
Sunderland: DLLLLL
Possible starting lineups
Man City: Hart; Kolarov, Lescott, Demichelis, Zabaleta; Garcia, Fernandinho; Milner, Silva, Nasri; Aguero
Sunderland: Mannone; Bardsley, Brown, O'Shea, Alonso; Cattermole, Ki, Bridcutt; Johnson, Wickham, Borini
Sports Mole says: 2-0
Liam Apicella
