Manchester City vs Sunderland Stats: Head-to-Head Record 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. The champions-elect profile of Manchester City is underlined by a perfect start to the 2026 campaign, while Sunderland arrive looking to disrupt one of the toughest away assignments in the division. This fixture will be central to the early-season narrative at both ends of the table, and Manchester City vs Sunderland stats provide a clear framework for what to expect.

In the current Premier League standings, Manchester City sit 2nd with 12 points from four matches, winning all four and posting a goal difference of +6. Sunderland are 14th with 4 points from four games, reflecting a mixed start with one win, one draw and two defeats. With City already pushing for the top spot and Sunderland aiming to stay clear of the relegation conversation, the stakes are significant as these two sides renew their rivalry at the Etihad.

Head-to-head record

The overall head-to-head record in competitive fixtures shows Manchester City holding a clear advantage over Sunderland in recent meetings.

• 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 era covered by the record begins on 2 February 2016 in the Premier League Regular Season - 24. On that date at Stadium of Light, Sunderland hosted Manchester City and the visitors edged a tight contest 1-0, with the scoreline 0-1 at half-time and unchanged at full-time. It set the tone for a sequence where City generally found a way to control these encounters.

The next chapter came on 13 August 2016 at Etihad Stadium in the Premier League Regular Season - 1. Manchester City, at home, defeated Sunderland 2-1, having led 1-0 at half-time. That match underlined City’s ability to start fast on their own ground and reinforced the gap between the sides at the beginning of that 2016 season. Later that campaign, on 5 March 2017 in Premier League Regular Season - 27 at Stadium of Light, Sunderland again hosted City and again failed to score, losing 2-0 after trailing 1-0 at the interval. Across those two fixtures in Sunderland, City combined control with defensive solidity.

The rivalry then paused at top-flight level until the 2025–26 Premier League season. On 6 December 2025, Manchester City welcomed Sunderland to Etihad Stadium in Regular Season - 15 and delivered a comprehensive 3-0 home win, leading 2-0 at half-time and closing the game out comfortably. The most recent meeting in the Manchester City vs Sunderland timeline came on 1 January 2026 at Stadium of Light in Premier League Regular Season - 19, where Sunderland managed to hold City to a 0-0 draw, with the match goalless at half-time and full-time. That result broke City’s winning run in this head-to-head and showed Sunderland can occasionally frustrate the favourites, particularly at home.

Manchester City vs Sunderland Head to Head Overall Breakdown

The Manchester City vs Sunderland stats across these five Premier League fixtures highlight a strong City dominance, especially in terms of goals scored and defensive control.

Overall Record & Goals:

• Total Goals Scored: Manchester City 8 - 1 Sunderland
• Average Goals per Match: Manchester City 1.60 vs Sunderland 0.20

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, assessed season to date in the 2026 Premier League, is outstanding. They have played four league matches and won all four, reflecting a perfect record both home and away. Offensively, City average 2.0 goals per game across the campaign, while conceding just 0.5 per match, combining a potent attack with a disciplined defence. At Etihad Stadium, they average 1.5 goals scored and 0.5 conceded, underlining the difficulty of taking points off them in Manchester.

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

Last 5 Sunderland Matches Results and Stats

Sunderland’s recent form, also season to date in the 2026 Premier League, is more mixed. Across four league fixtures they have one win, one draw and two defeats, with a total of 3 goals scored and 5 conceded. At home, Sunderland have split their two matches with one win and one loss, scoring once and conceding twice. Away from home, they have yet to win in two attempts, drawing one and losing one, scoring 2 and conceding 3. The numbers point to a side that can be competitive but still allows more than a goal per game on average, which is a concern heading into a trip to the Etihad.

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

Historical Statistical Verdict

Across the available Manchester City vs Sunderland stats, the pattern is clear. Manchester City lead the head-to-head with 3 wins from 5, scoring 8 goals and conceding just 1. At Etihad Stadium, City have a perfect record in this sample, winning both matches and averaging 2.5 goals scored per game. Sunderland’s best results in the rivalry have come at Stadium of Light, including the 0-0 draw on 1 January 2026, but even there City have twice taken all three points.

When this historical picture is combined with current form, the statistical trend leans strongly towards Manchester City. City enter the match with four wins from four in the 2026 Premier League season, a positive goal difference, and strong underlying scoring and defensive numbers. Sunderland, by contrast, have a negative goal difference and no away win so far this campaign. While football always allows for surprises, the weight of head-to-head history and current-season metrics both point to Manchester City as the side with the clearer statistical edge ahead of the 20 September 2026 clash at Etihad Stadium.

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