Sunderland v Man City

Roberto Mancini doesn’t look the sort to start dancing round his living room but there must have been at least some serious fist-pumping yesterday afternoon. He will tell the media that Blackburn’s shock win at Old Trafford doesn’t change the job his side needs to do today, but that isn’t entirely true. United’s slip-up has alleviated the pressure, at least for the time being, and at this stage psychology will play a part in the title race.

A draw at the Stadium of Light suddenly wouldn’t look like a disastrous result for City, especially with the improvements that Sunderland have already made under Martin O’Neill. However, the shot in the arm that the league leaders received yesterday is probably worth a goal in itself. It won’t be easy, but with the firepower at Mancini’s disposal, I suggest backing Man City to edge past a tricky opponent, and win by a one goal margin at best odds of 11/4 (Skybet).