Manchester City could move into the Premier League's top four on Sunday if they beat Sunderland and other results go their way.
Manuel Pellegrini's side currently sit fifth in the table, one point adrift of Tottenham Hotspur, who occupy fourth.
Sunderland remain rooted in the relegation zone following their 1-0 defeat to Hull City last Saturday, which was the club's fifth in six league games.
However, Gus Poyet will be encouraged by his side's 2-1 victory over Southampton in the Capital One Cup in midweek.
City come into the match off the back of their 5-2 success over CSKA Moscow in the Champions League, which came three days after their 7-0 thrashing of Norwich City.
Sunderland will be without suspended duo Lee Cattermole and Andrea Dossena, who will both serve the second of their three-match bans following their dismissals at Hull.
David Silva and Vincent Kompany will miss the game for City due to injuries, while Costel Pantilimon is expected to retain his place in goal, which would see Joe Hart remain on the bench.
Recent form
Sunderland: LLLLWL
Man City: WLWWLW
Possible starting lineups
Sunderland: Westwood; Bardsley, O'Shea, Brown, Colback; Johnson, Ki, Gardner, Giaccherini; Altidore, Fletcher
Man City: Pantilimon; Zabaleta, Demichelis, Nastasic, Clichy; Nasri, Fernandinho, Toure, Milner; Aguero, Negredo
Sports Mole says: 1-3
Steven Toplis
