In the 50 or so minutes that are left between now and kickoff on Wearside, it's going to be tough to remember that there is a football match being played tonight! It's little surprise that all of the talk in the build up to his game has been about Manuel Pellegrini's impending exit as Manchester City manager and the summer arrival of Pep Guardiola. On the pitch, though, these two sides need the three points, so let's hope that's reflected in the quality of the match. Thanks for joining Sports Mole's coverage this evening.

Right, before we inevitably get involved with the Pellegrini situation, let's take a look at the team news. We'll start with the visitors...

MAN CITY XI: Hart; Sagna, Demichelis, Otamendi, Clichy; Fernandinho, Toure; Navas, Silva; Aguero, Iheanacho

MAN CITY SUBS: Caballero, Kolarov, Zabaleta, Fernando, Celina, Barker, Sterling

Despite thrashing Aston Villa in the FA Cup last time out, Pellegrini has made five changes to his starting lineup. Unsurprisingly, leading goalscorer Sergio Aguero has been recalled along with Yaya Toure, David Silva, Martin Demichelis and Joe Hart. The other big news is that following his hat-trick against Villa, 19-year-old Kelechi Iheanacho has kept his place and will partner Aguero in attack.

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And now for the hosts, who have included a host of new faces in the matchday squad...

SUNDERLAND XI: Mannone; Jones, O'Shea, Kone, Kirchhoff, Van Aanholt; Cattermole, M'Vila, Borini, Lens; Defoe

SUNDERLAND SUBS: Pickford, Brown, N'Doye, Johnson, Khazri, Yedlin, Watmore

It's a new-look three-man defence for the Black Cats, with January signings Jan Kirchhoff and Lamine Kone making their debuts at the Stadium of Light. They will play alongside John O'Shea, with Patrick van Aanholt and Billy Jones operating as wing-backs. The other new faces - Dame N'Doye and Wahbi Khazriv - will start the contest among the substitutes.

So, Pellegrini then. In truth, there is not much to say that hasn't already been said over the last 24 hours. He knows that regardless of how many trophies he guides City to this season (and it could be as many as four), Pep Guardiola will be sat in his seat next season.

To Chilean's credit, he has taken the news with great dignity and has conducted himself well. That, coupled with his obviously managerial talent, is likely to mean that he will not be short of offers in the summer. Chelsea, Valencia and Paris Saint-Germain have already been linked with the 62-year-old.

And here is how Pellegrini informed the press of his planned departure yesterday afternoon:

"I talked to the club and I will finish my contract on the original date. We signed a contract for one more year, but with a clause that one of the club or me cannot use that extended contract. So I will finish here on the original date.

"They are not doing anything behind me. I knew this a month ago. But I don't think it's good, this rumour and speculation about different things. I would prefer to finish the speculation today. That's why I told the press, I told the players, and I spoke with the club two weeks ago saying that I would do it."

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100 NOT OUT! Well, just about! Tonight incidentally marks Pellegrini's 100th Premier League game in charge of City. His winning ratio from those matches currently stands at 63.36%, which is higher than any other City manager in the club's history. No pressure, Pep.

I mentioned earlier that Pellegrini's men are fighting on four fronts this season, with tonight seeing the Premier League title fixed firmly in their sights. They are three points behind leaders Leicester City and were the Foxes to lose at home to Liverpool tonight and City run out winners in the North East, Pellegrini will be looking down on the rest of the Premier League come 10pm.

Don't worry Sunderland fans, I haven't forgot your team! The hosts need the victory just as much as City, only for very different reasons. They have reached a stage where even a win will not lift them out of the relegation zone - such is the size of the gap that is beginning to open up. To be brutally honest, time is running out for Sam Allardyce.

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As far as Allardyce is concerned, if his side can carve out any chances tonight, they must convert them:

"There are ways you can get at any team if your team is capable of producing its best performance. Against a team like Manchester City, nothing less than our best performance would cause City problems and then it's how could we capitalise on that," he told reporters.

"Certainly when chances come our way we would have to make sure we could convert them in the big games. Against the big boys chances are rarer and you must take them when they come your way if you take them."

Sunderland supporters will be getting their first look at this man tonight. Up against Aguero on your debut, it doesn't get much tougher than that!

Game Day! Can't wait to wear the Red and White shirt tonight ⚽️🔴⚪️ 3 points could be good for my first game #SAFC pic.twitter.com/NE4c8i3ddA — Lamine Koné (@LamineKone_23) February 2, 2016

Talking of Aguero, if the recent history of this fixture is anything to go by, there should be goals. City's last two trips to the Stadium of Light have ended in 4-1 victories, with the Argentine helping himself to three goals.

In the last three games between the pair, there has been a hefty 15 goals. And, in City we have the division's highest goalscorers (45) up against the leakiest defence (46). One thing is for sure, it shouldn't be 0-0 tonight.

Another reason why we could well see some goals is Nigerian youngster Iheanacho, who has kept his place in the City attack following his trio of goals down at Villa. The Citizens have made big noises about their swish new academy and it's about time that it started to produce some talent. He obviously has a long way to go, but Iheanacho could well be the start of the production line.

With just under 15 minutes to go until we get underway, that gives us a little more time to discuss the Pellegrini situation - bet you're all glad of that! Here's Mark Lawrenson's take, talking to BBC Sport:

"The news about Pep Guardiola should make the Manchester City players perform better. Can you imagine the players who will arrive in August? The conversations he's already had with the owners? I want to sign Paul Pogba, sign Lionel Messi...

"The most important thing for them now, in this title race, is getting Vincent Kompnay fit. Without Kompany I think Arsenal will win the league."

PREDICTION: The big question is, how are the City players going to react to the news that Pellegrini won't be in charge for much longer? After all, they don't have to really impress him any more. Still, these are professional footballers that want to win trophies. Assuming they are on top of their game, they'll win this one comfortably. Let's say 3-1, with a double from Aguero.

That famous classical music is being boomed out around the Stadium of Light which means one thing - the players will soon be heading out on to pitch. Five minutes until kickoff.

The pre-match handshakes are now completed, as is the coin toss. We'll be underway very shortly.

KICKOFF! City's front pair get proceedings underway. It's a big night for both of these teams.

It's been a bright start from City, who have just forced the game's first corner. Silva swings it into the box, but Kirchhoff is able to clear the danger.

Almost a nightmare debut for Sunderland's Kone, who is very close to turning the ball into his own net. He makes a connection with Clichy's cross from the left, but his blushes are spared by a diving Mannone between the posts. The pair exchange a wry smile.

By the way, Tottenham Hotspur have taken the lead away at Norwich City through man of the moment Dele Alli. It means that right now Spurs have jumped above City and into second place on goal difference.

CHANCE! A warning for Sunderland that they really cannot afford to give away possession inside their own half. M'Vila is the offender on this occasion, which sees Aguero spring into life. City's Argentine frontman has a go from just outside the area, but his powerful effort flies just wide.

It's an interesting formation from Sunderland boss Allardyce. When the team news was released just over an hour ago it pointed to a 3-5-2, but in the opening few minutes they are clearly playing a 4-1-4-1. Kirchhoff is the man operating in holding midfield.

The visitors are 1-0 up, but it could have come at some cost. Navas sprints away down the right flank and then sends in a low cross, which Sunderland are unable to clear. Aguero collects at the back post, steps inside Jones and then fires in with a smart finish - a decent goal from the talisman. But, he hits the deck as soon as the ball goes in - worrying times for City.

City fans can breath easy because Aguero is back on the pitch. It looked to be a contact injury rather than something muscular, with replays showing that Jones had raked his studs down Aguero's calf. That's not very clever from the Sunderland defender.

STAT!

12 - Sergio Aguero has scored 12 goals in his last 10 Premier League appearances. Machine. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 2, 2016

The game has lulled somewhat since the goal. City are in control that's for sure, but they haven't threatened Mannone's goal anymore.

CHANCE! The first real sighting of Iheanacho, who weaves his way through numerous challenges before he plays the ball into the path of strike partner Aguero. From 18 yards out he goes for goal, with the ball looping up off O'Shea on to the roof of the net.

Half an opening for Sunderland as a Lens free kick is met by Kirchhoff, but in a crowded penalty area, he heads well wide of the target. It lifts the home fans nonetheless.

CHANCE! And now that is a proper opportunity for the home team. Lens floats in another cross with his right foot that causes problems for the City defence. Kone rises highest and wrong foots Hart with his powerful header, only to see the ball fly just wide.

Those Lens deliveries are proving difficult to deal with for City. He's just swung another one in, but sadly for him none of this teammates could get on the end of it.

SAVES! Sunderland are finishing the first half really strongly. Defoe does brilliantly to wriggle away from Otamendi on the edge of the box and he then fires a low shot that Hart is able to turn away. The rebound drops to M'Vila at a tight angle and Hart is up in time to save. Great work from the City goalkeeper.

There will be two minutes of stoppage time at the end of this first half.

There goes the whistle for the break and it City's that lead thanks to Aguero's 17th goal of the season.

They may find themselves behind right now, but there are reasons to be optimistic for the home side. It took them a little while to get going, but once they did, they have caused City some problems. They need to get Lens on the ball as much as possible because he's look to be in the mood tonight.

As for City, while it hasn't been a vintage display by any means, they still look a threat on the counter-attack. If Sunderland do push forward in search of an equaliser during the second half, it would take a brave person to bet against City exploiting those gaps. For a side like Pellegrini's, it's potentially the perfect scenario.

MATCH ACTION! Before the second half gets underway, here's the moment that Aguero scored the only goal of the game so far.

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RESTART! As the action gets back underway, both sides have made a change. The impressive Lens has been replaced by Sunderland debutant Khazri, while young City striker Iheanacho is hauled off in favour of Fernando.

Losing Lens was a blow to Sunderland, but Khazri has certainly made a bright start to life in the Premier League. The Tunisian has twice burst into City territory with positive runs, although they have come to nothing.

Someone else that is impressing for Sunderland is Kirchhoff. He had a nightmare debut as a substitute away at Tottenham, but he looks the part in the holding midfield position. I'm not sure if he's played there before or not - he was signed as a central defender after all - yet he looks more than comfortable.

It's Sunderland that look the more likely to score the game's second goal right now. Van Aanholt has just raided down the left flank, only to overhit his cross that was intended for an unmarked Defoe.

Some bad news for City coming from the King Power Stadium as Leicester take the lead against Liverpool with a stunner from Jamie Vardy. If results stay this way, Leicester will remain three points clear at the top.

BOOKING! It wasn't clear at the time, but now we've had confirmation that Sunderland full-back Jones was cautioned for pulling back Silva.

Defoe may be a pint-sized striker, but he can certainly look after himself. He catches Otamendi in the face with a stray elbow and then the two players square up to each other. The referee hasn't seen any of this and playing is carrying on!

Leicester are now 2-0 up, meaning that they will almost certainly end the night top of the pile. City, if it stays this way, are third on goal difference because Spurs are also leading Norwich.

SUNDERLAND: An attacking change from Allardyce as the defence-minded Cattermole is replaced by former City winger Adam Johnson.

MAN CITY SUB: Now it's City's turn to make a switch and it's pretty much like for like - Sterling for Navas.

SHOT! Credit must go to Sunderland because they are not giving up here. Jones tries his luck from 20 yards out and his effort is tipped over by an alert Hart.

MAN CITY SUB: Third and final change for the visitors as Toure trudges off to be replaced by Kolarov.

BOOKING! Otamendi has just put a crunching challenge in on Johnson and the City centre-back has been handed a yellow card for his troubles.

SUNDERLAND SUB: The home side's charge for an equaliser has died down somewhat over the last five minutes, which is why Allardyce has thrown on N'Doye in place of Borini.

There will be five minutes of stoppage time at the end of this game. Can Sunderland score a deserved equaliser?

Sunderland deserved something from this encounter, but as we've seen so often down the years, football can be a cruel game. City haven't played well, yet they take the three points with them back to Manchester. Dare I say, the sign of champions!

That is all we have time for from the Stadium of Light. Thanks for joining Sports Mole this evening and until next time, goodbye.