Manchester City Look to Extend Winning Run

Last season, Sunderland were one of the few teams that defeated Manchester City in the premier league. Roberto Mancini has to make sure that the same does not happen tomorrow at the Stadium of Light as City look extend their winning run with a third back to back win.
So far the sky blues have responded well after the defeat they suffered at the hands of arch rivals Manchester United. United have to play a relatively tough fixture against Newcastle and City cannot afford to slip up and must carry on winning games to close the gap which is now just 4 points.
City somehow fought out a 1-0 victory at the weekend against relegation threatened Reading. Mancini’s side had to dig deep and only found the winner in injury time via Gareth Barry header. City have to be more ruthless than that as they created chance after chance but could not convert.
Sunderland on the other hand defeated Southampton in their last fixture and will be looking for history to repeat itself as they ruined City’s New Year beating them on 1st January, 2012.
Three of Sunderland’s last four games on the boxing day have ended stalemate, adding to that City have been unable to beat their opponents in the last three away meetings. If Sunderland win, it will be the third victory at the stadium of light in a row. Previous two ended 1-0 to the home side.
Team News
Mancini may have his captain Kompany in the starting lineup for this fixture after he opted not to risk the defender last weekend. Balotelli may also return after recovering from illness whereas Clichy and Kolarov are still doubts for the game.
Frenchman Samir Nasri will remain on the sideline with injury (hamstring). Adding to that Richards and Rodwell are still out with long term injuries.
Former City starlet, Adam Johnson who left Etihad stadium to join Sunderland in summer may not be able to feature against his former employers as the versatile winger suffered an injury during the game against Southampton. Larsson also has a knee problem but there are slight chances that both players may be available for the game.
Captain Cattermole is still in the list of long term injuries along with former Manchester United defender Wes Brown. Can Sunderland ruin City’s Christmas party on Boxing Day as they ruined their New Year party last time around, we shall see.