Manchester City vs Sunderland

Manchester City host Sunderland at the Etihad on 20 September, and it's a fixture with different stakes for each side. City sit top of the table, still finding their feet under new boss Enzo Maresca after Pep Guardiola's departure. Sunderland, back for a second Premier League season, are riding the high of last term's shock seventh-place finish and a first European run in years. Maresca's side have won four of their last five, beating Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Coventry City while also winning at Porto in the Champions League, with Erling Haaland and new arrival Rayan Cherki both catching the eye. Sunderland's start has been patchier — a loss to Ipswich Town, a win over Fulham and a draw at Brentford — with Granit Xhaka steadying things in midfield. City have historically dominated this fixture, though the last meeting in January finished goalless. Our prediction: 3-1