Manchester City fans will be incredibly optimistic ahead of their Premier League fixture against Sunderland today. Enzo Maresca's side are now the only unbeaten team remaining in the Premier League after Arsenal suffered a shock defeat to Brighton yesterday. A victory would extend City's advantage over Mikel Arteta's Arsenal to three points while maintaining their unbeaten run under Maresca.
Erling Haaland will also enter the game in sensational form. After failing to score in City's opening Premier League game against Crystal Palace, the Norwegian has found the net in every league game since, establishing himself as one of the division's most dangerous attackers once again.
However, just as Arsenal learned the hard way, the unpredictable nature of the Premier League means City cannot afford to become complacent. And there is one particularly interesting statistic that could give Sunderland hope ahead of today's encounter.
Haaland Has Never Scored Against Sunderland
Sunderland are the only Premier League team Erling Haaland has faced without scoring against them.
The Manchester City striker has faced Sunderland twice during his career but has failed to find the net on either occasion, leaving him with zero goals in two appearances against today's opponents.
That makes Sunderland something of an unusual opponent for a player who has destroyed defensive records across the Premier League.
Haaland has scored against almost every type of opposition since arriving in England, but Sunderland remain one of the few teams to have successfully kept him quiet.
Naturally, past records do not necessarily dictate what happens in the present. Haaland is in outstanding form, and Sunderland will have an enormous challenge on their hands trying to contain him.
Nevertheless, the statistic provides an intriguing subplot to today's fixture.
Sunderland Have Already Frustrated City
There is another reason Manchester City supporters should perhaps remain cautious.
The last time these two sides met in January 2026, Sunderland managed to earn a point against City, frustrating Pep Guardiola's team in a goalless draw.
City dominated large portions of the contest but ultimately could not find the breakthrough, while Sunderland demonstrated their ability to remain organised and frustrate one of the Premier League's most talented attacks.
That result should serve as a reminder that even an in-form Manchester City can encounter problems when an opponent successfully limits their attacking threat.
Can Haaland Finally Break His Duck?
The circumstances are certainly different this time around.
Haaland is currently enjoying excellent scoring form, while City have established themselves as the Premier League's only unbeaten side. On paper, they should be strong favourites to claim all three points.
But Sunderland can take confidence from their previous success against City and Haaland's unusual record against them.
Considering those two factors, there is at least a chance that Manchester City could struggle today, particularly if Sunderland manage to reproduce the defensive discipline that frustrated them previously.
Most likely, City will win comfortably and Haaland will finally break his duck against Sunderland given his current form. But football is a funny game, and never say never, especially in the Premier League.