Squad sheets: Sunderland v Manchester City

Last December Sunderland succumbed 4-3 at Eastlands where Roberto Mancini waited in the wings to replace the already condemned Mark Hughes. Afterwards an appalled Steve Bruce spoke eloquently, and passionately, about the need for managers to be offered time and patience. Following an indifferent opening to the season Sunderland's manager – whose decision to sell key striker Kenywne Jones to Stoke has angered many fans – must trust his board heeded those words. Most eyes may be on Mancini and his exciting, title chasing, multi-million pound imports but Bruce is currently a man under pressure. Louise Taylor Venue Stadium of Light, Sunday 3pm Tickets £23-50 (0871 911 1973 ) Last season Sunderland 1 Manchester City 1 Referee M Dean This season's matches 2 Y 6, R 0, 3.00 cards per game Odds Sunderland 7-2 Manchester City 10-11 Draw 13-5 Sunderland Subs from Carson, Ferdinand, Da Silva, Reid, Riveros, Colback, Zenden, Waghorn, Welbeck Doubtful None Injured McCartney (ankle, 11 Sep), Mensah (hamstring, 11 Sep), Gordon (broken wrist, 18 Sep), Meyler (knee, Mar) Suspended None Form guide LD Disciplinary record Y5 R1 Leading scorer Bent 1 Manchester City Subs from Given, Balotelli, Zabaleta, Boyata, Vieira, Silva, Ibrahim, Nimely, Wright-Phillips, Adebayor, Jô, Boateng Doubtful Balotelli (knee), Boateng (knee) Injured Bridge (foot, Oct), M Johnson (knee, Oct), Kolarov (knee, Oct) Suspended None Ineligible Onuoha (terms of loan) Form guide WD Disciplinary record Y3 R0 Leading scorer Tevez 2 Match pointers • These sides have not had a goalless draw in a league encounter since February 1938, a run of 56 games • Excluding own goals, only four different players have scored for Sunderland in the Premier League since Boxing Day 2009 (Bent, Campbell, Jones and Zenden) • A draw at the Stadium of Light in March ended a run of eight straight league victories for City against Sunderland • Carlos Tevez has scored or assisted in 12 of City's last 22 league goals • Sunderland have kept one clean sheet in their last 12 top flight matches