Game Thread: City v Sunderland

Lineups are in:

#MCFC team to play Sunderland: Hart, Zabaleta, Richards, Lescott, Kolarov, Milner, Barry, Y. Toure, Silva, Balotelli, Tevez #cityvsund

— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) October 6, 2012

Sunderland: Mignolet, Gardner, Rose, Cuellar, O'Shea ©, Colback, Larsson, Johnson, McClean, Sessegnon, Fletcher.

— Sunderland AFC (@SAFCofficial) October 6, 2012

Check that City XI again and you'll notice a big absence: Vincent Kompany. The skipper has apparently picked up a calf injury the extent of which is unknown at this point. Matija Nastasic has also picked up an injury, but Micah Richards is a welcome sight back on the pitch and will fill in at CB alongside Joleon Lescott. On the flip side, this game marks the return of Adam Johnson, starting on the right wing for Sunderland today.

Sunderland were the only team to take points from City at the Etihad last season and will be looking to fashion out a similar performance today. Comment away...