Manchester City – Sunderland: Watch Live Stream Online, Preview, Prediction, Team News

When and Where: The Premier League match kicks-off from the Etihad at 10 a.m. ET. A live stream is available via ESPN3. TV coverage will be provided by ESPN2.

Preview: With their increasingly stuttering away form, Manchester City know the imperative of maintaining their 100 percent home record if they are to keep alive their chances of winning the title.

City's record of just one win in their last five matches away from the Etihad led to them slipping to three points behind neighbors Manchester United.

There have been problems at the back and the front in recent weeks for Roberto Mancini's men. The injuries to Joleon Lescott and especially Vincent Kompany have exposed a lack of depth defensively.

In attack City's free-scoring start to the season is something of a distant memory with Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli all seeing their goals dry up as David Silva has also lost some of his creative magic.

Following their FA Cup exit, Martin O'Neil will be applying all his motivational skills to ensure Sunderland's players do not allow their season to peter out. There is also the opportunity to become the first team to do the double over City this season after a dramatic winner from Ji Dong-Won gave Sunderland a 1-0 victory back on New Year's Day.

Team News: Sergio Aguero has been ruled out of Saturday's match with what Mancini has called a stupid injury.

As Carlos Tevez continues his return to fitness, speculation is mounting that the controversial Argentinian may make his return to the starting lineup against Sunderland. But it is that other controversial striker, Mario Balotelli, who remains likely to get the nod up front.

There is a bosst at the back with Vincent Kompany set to return from injury, though Lescott is still ruled out.

For Sunderland, Wayne Bridge is ineligible to play against his parent club, while fellow defender John O'Shea is expected to still be sidelined with a knee injury.

Prediction: The return of Kompany will add some defensive mettle and leadership that has been missing of late. At this stage of the season results are all that matter and, against a Sunderland side likely fatigued from their cup exploits in midweek, City should do enough to make it 16 wins out of 16 at home.

Manchester City 2-1 Sunderland