Not to worry Manchester City fans, three points are guaranteed against Sunderland tomorrow night at fortress Etihad to put your title tilt back on track…
…or are they? In the past, we have seen Sunderland scupper City both home and away.
Now that City are seven points behind league leaders Liverpool, fans are on edge over their team’s chances of re-gaining the Premier League trophy.
A win in the game that was postponed from last month could put them right back in contention, especially with Liverpool still due to play Chelsea.
Trouble is, Sunderland have a menace in Adam Johnson, the on and off winger, who can cause nightmares for full backs when he is at his best and will be keen to attack his old club’s often vulnerable left flank.
It is no certain thing, but Sunderland are in a dismal position currently at the bottom of the table.
Whether the players are just turning up to make up the numbers remains to be seen.
Irrespective of how Sunderland play, City fans will want to see their team build on a good performance against Liverpool – a game in which only a rare Vincent Kompany mistake cost them a point.
As long as their captain is back to his usual best – and back to 100% fitness – they should overcome Sunderland.
Manchester United, meanwhile, will be fit and refreshed following their weekend without a game.
They do not have to play until Sunday, when they travel to high-flying Everton.
Walking out to the away team dugout at Goodison Park may leave David Moyes with a sour taste in his mouth, as he reflects on the good fortunes of his old team compared with the lacklustre season that United have had.
Everton fans probably will not recognise Marouane Fellaini who left for United in the summer for £27.5m.
He has not posed the same threat in attack that he did for the Blues, for whom he scored 25 goals. For his current employer, he has scored zero.
The man who replaced Moyes – Roberto Martinez – has done a great job. It is a sorry fact that a point for United would represent a pleasing result for them, while for Everton fans, a win should be the target as they hope to secure fourth place.
The prospect of Champions League football is absolutely mouth-watering for Everton fans, no doubt.
For United’s support, the reality of not competing in Europe next season will start to frustrate.
A win against Everton, although tough, would at least show that fourth place – where Everton currently sit – is where they should be, if not higher.
Most fans will be looking forward to next season and they will be content to forget this difficult transitional season.
A few wins in their last five games would certainly raise spirits – and there is a possibility that they might overtake Tottenham, who are out of form and have a much worse goal difference.
Main image courtesy of Alex Morton/Action Images, with thanks.
