Manchester City are in excellent form, having won eight consecutive matches across all competitions. This includes a six-match winning streak in the Premier League, their longest since a nine-match run at the end of the 2023-24 season. Their recent 2-1 away victory against Nottingham Forest demonstrated their ability to secure points even when facing adversity. With 43 goals scored in the first 18 rounds, and Erling Haaland's continued prolific scoring, with 19 league goals, combined with the dynamic play of Jeremy Doku and Phil Foden, their attacking system is both multifaceted and effective. Sunderland faces a significant personnel crisis, which is the biggest obstacle to their performance. Key defenders Ajibola Alese and Dan Ballard are out due to injury, severely impacting their defensive rotation. The African Cup of Nations has further depleted the team, with six core players, including Habib Diallo, Bertrand Traoré, and Shémsedin Talbi, being called up, leading to near exhaustion of defensive and midfield rotation capabilities. They have conceded an average of over 15 shots in their last three matches, making them prone to errors under high-pressure situations. A positive note is the return of Luke O'Nien after a three-match suspension, potentially strengthening the midfield. Match Prediction: Sunderland +1.25