Manchester City vs Sunderland: Head-to-head Stats Before September 2026 Match

Manchester City host Sunderland at Etihad Stadium in Manchester on 20 September 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 13:00 UTC in the Premier League Regular Season - 5. Manchester City enter the game in strong early-season form, sitting 2nd in the table with 12 points from four wins out of four, and a goal difference of +6. Sunderland arrive in mid-table at 14th place with 4 points from their first four matches, looking to stabilise after a mixed start.

This fixture carries clear stakes at both ends of the standings. City are aiming to maintain a perfect league start and keep pace in the title race, while Sunderland seek a statement result away from home to move further clear of the lower reaches of the table. For anyone studying Manchester City vs Sunderland stats, this match offers a classic clash between a title contender with a dominant home record and a side trying to establish itself back in the top flight.

Head-to-head record

The overall Premier League head-to-head record between Manchester City and Sunderland in the available timeline is tilted firmly in City’s favour.

• Previous meetings: 5
• Manchester City wins: 3
• Draws: 1
• Sunderland wins: 1

Manchester City vs Sunderland Timeline & Historical Context

The Manchester City vs Sunderland timeline in the Premier League, based on the recorded fixtures, spans from February 2016 through January 2026 and shows a gradual consolidation of City’s superiority. The earliest match in this sequence came on 2 February 2016 in the Premier League Regular Season - 24 at Stadium of Light, where Sunderland hosted Manchester City and lost 0-1 after trailing 0-1 at half-time.

The rivalry then moved to Etihad Stadium on 13 August 2016 in the Premier League Regular Season - 1. Manchester City, playing at home, edged a 2-1 victory over Sunderland, having led 1-0 at the break. On 5 March 2017, the sides met again at Stadium of Light in Premier League Regular Season - 27, with Sunderland at home and Manchester City away; City won 2-0 after a 0-1 half-time lead, underlining their growing control in this fixture.

The more recent part of the Manchester City vs Sunderland timeline reflects a slight narrowing of the gap. On 6 December 2025 at Etihad Stadium in Premier League Regular Season - 15, Manchester City beat Sunderland 3-0, leading 2-0 at half-time. However, in the latest meeting on 1 January 2026 at Stadium of Light in Premier League Regular Season - 19, Sunderland, at home, held Manchester City to a 0-0 draw after a goalless first half. That result ended City’s winning run in these recorded head-to-head games and offers Sunderland a small psychological platform going into the new encounter.

Manchester City vs Sunderland Head to Head Overall Breakdown

The statistical picture across these fixtures confirms Manchester City’s edge but also highlights Sunderland’s capacity to keep games tight on their own ground.

Overall Record & Goals:

• Total Goals Scored: Manchester City 8 - 2 Sunderland
• Average Goals per Match: Manchester City 1.60 vs Sunderland 0.40

Venue Split Performance:

• At Etihad Stadium: 2 matches played here — Manchester City won 2 (as home side), Sunderland won 0 (as away side), 0 draws
• At Stadium of Light: 3 matches played here — Sunderland won 1 (as home side), Manchester City won 2 (as away side), 1 draw

Manchester City vs Sunderland Last Results: Past Direct Meetings

Here are the Manchester City vs Sunderland last results in recent competitive fixtures:

• 1 January 2026: Sunderland 0-0 Manchester City (Half-time: 0-0) – Premier League Regular Season - 19
• 6 December 2025: Manchester City 3-0 Sunderland (Half-time: 2-0) – Premier League Regular Season - 15
• 5 March 2017: Sunderland 0-2 Manchester City (Half-time: 0-1) – Premier League Regular Season - 27
• 13 August 2016: Manchester City 2-1 Sunderland (Half-time: 1-0) – Premier League Regular Season - 1
• 2 February 2016: Sunderland 0-1 Manchester City (Half-time: 0-1) – Premier League Regular Season - 24

Recent Form: Last 5 Matches Breakdown

Last 5 Manchester City Matches Results and Stats

Manchester City’s recent form in the Premier League 2026 season to date has been outstanding. They have played 4 matches, winning all 4, with no draws or defeats. Offensively, City average 2.0 goals per game across home and away, scoring 8 in total, while conceding only 2 (0.5 per match). At Etihad Stadium they have 2 wins from 2, scoring 3 and conceding 1, and they have already recorded 2 clean sheets overall. This combination of consistent scoring and a tight defence underpins their strong momentum heading into this fixture.

• Recent Results Summary: Win 4, Draw 0, Lose 0

Last 5 Sunderland Matches Results and Stats

Sunderland’s Premier League 2026 season to date has been more mixed. Across 4 matches, they have 1 win, 1 draw and 2 defeats. They have scored 3 goals (0.8 per match) and conceded 5 (1.3 per match). At home they have 1 win and 1 loss with a 1-2 goal record, while away from home they have drawn 1 and lost 1, scoring 2 and conceding 3. Sunderland have managed 1 clean sheet but have also failed to score once, indicating some inconsistency in attack and a defence that can be exposed, particularly on the road.

• Recent Results Summary: Win 1, Draw 1, Lose 2

Historical Statistical Verdict

The historical Manchester City vs Sunderland stats and the current season’s form both point strongly towards Manchester City ahead of this Premier League clash at Etihad Stadium. City lead the head-to-head with 3 wins from 5 recorded matches and a dominant 8-2 aggregate score, including a perfect home record of 2 wins from 2 at Etihad. Sunderland’s lone victory and the most recent 0-0 draw at Stadium of Light show they can be competitive, especially at home, but their away record in this matchup and their current defensive numbers suggest a demanding assignment in Manchester. With City unbeaten and prolific so far in 2026, and Sunderland still searching for consistency, the statistical trends lean clearly towards another strong Manchester City performance, even if Sunderland’s recent draw offers a reminder that they are capable of making the contest more balanced than the long-term numbers suggest.

Manchester City vs Sunderland H2H Statistics updated on 14 September 2026.