Sunderland Back in the Drop Zone – Cup Final Warm Up

Article by e-Sunderland Correspondent Ben Mummery

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Man City V Sunderland Head to Head

What a fortnight for Sunderland. This time last week we were floating on air from 6 points in two games. With a home win over Stoke and a three nil thrashing of rivals Newcastle, then what a calamity to end a run of three crucial games.

Victor Anechebe put pay to any hope of us remaining out of the drop zone this week, with an 87th minute strike against a sloppy Chelsea, who allowed their long held one nil lead to slip, earning a precious point for West Brom. With Wednesday night’s game against City now absolutely critical, can Sunderland find what it will take to leave the Stadium of Light, and beat Manchester City away from home?

Let’s have a look at some of the key battles of this fixture:

Navas vs. Alonso

Jesus Navas possesses incredible pace, which is his main weapon. Easily one of the fastest players in the league, and we saw Marco Alonso exposed at times against Adnan Januzaj’s pace in the League Cup semifinal at Old Trafford. The Spanish full back will need to be at his experienced, knowledgeable best to contain his rapid countryman.

Ki vs. Yaya Toure

Sunderland’s form man, against arguably the premier league’s finest player of the last two to three years. Two centre midfielders who are both at the very top of their game, this is a key battle for possession and forward momentum. Here’s to hoping the Ivory Coast main man has an off night!

Fabio Borini vs. Pablo Zabaleta

In my personal opinion, Zabaleta is among the finest players in English football (I am a right back though, so a little biased?) The work rate, touch, and awareness he brings every week are second to none, however the little Italian’s recent form would suggest this could be a much closer contest than might be expected.

Santiago Vergini vs. Alvarro Negredo

The Spanish Striker has tormented defences every time he’s played so far this season, and this being Vergini’s first full Premier League cap, might mean he’ll have to be on his finest ever form to compete with such a fearsome opponent.

Adam Johnson vs. Aleksander Kolorov

It’s likely that the Serbian left back will start ahead of Clichy, and he will be keen to show his quality against arguably the league’s form winger at the moment. Johnson has played exceptionally well in recent games, and needs to be consistent on his visit to his former club.

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