A largely predictable defeat to Liverpool, a somewhat unexpected triumph over Tottenham and a surprisingly unfluid performance against Nottingham Forest is the story of their season so far.

And that can be seen as a solid enough start.

A fledgling mid-table position and through to the next round of the Carling Cup is satisfactory progress, for a side coping with a summer of new arrivals and several departures.

Now though, things should be starting to take more shape as the new players begin to feel increasingly at home and, on Sunday, benefit from the advantage of having more than 40,000 Sunderland fans behind them.

So the City game will be a nice chance for fans to see just what condition their club is in as the transfer window prepares to snap shut.

There's no doubt that the club's work in the transfer market this summer has been impressive, culminating with the arrival of Cisse and David Healy last week.

And even though Teemu Tainio, Steed Malbranque will be sidelined as well as, possibly Kieran Richardson, Sunderland still have a powerful squad of players to call on.

City will arrive with a top-quality manager at the helm: Mark Hughes trying to bring stability to a club which has seen a close-season of upheaval and change.

His side arrive with an identical record to Sunderland's - a defeat, a win and cup progress made.

But they have been far from impressive so far with their victory in the UEFA Cup achieved only thanks to a last-minute own goal from their Danish opponents and the lottery of a penalty shoot-out.

Their win too was against a stuttering West Ham side reduced to 10 men.

They come to the Stadium of Light having done the double over the Wearsiders last term, despite being the poorer side in both games.

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They might not be quite so favoured this time around.

Last season they got by on indifferent performances because they had more quality players than Sunderland; Sunderland though have now addressed those failings and will be eager to take the game to opponents competing in a difficult European tie 72 hours earlier.

Much will depend on whether new signing Shaun Wright-Phillips can sparkle but if the ex-Chelsea winger is up against Mancunian Phil Bardsley deployed again at left-back, the City ace will have his hands full.

Elsewhere, City are likely to give £18million record signing Jo his debut in English football. The Brazilian teenager arrives with a formidable reputation. But Sunderland will hope the young striker does not make an immediate Premier League impact and no doubt the home defence will be waiting to give him a warm welcome.

Scorelines are impossible to accurately predict but my gut instinct is Sunderland should win this. City have not looked like the force they were early last season under Eriksson and there's the possibility that Jo in particular could take some time to bed into a squad and a club which has its troubles.

The Blues might well click into gear in the months ahead but right now they look vulnerable and Sunderland have a squad full of players with points to prove. Their manager feels the same way.

The home crowd will be buoyant and the likes of Cisse and Healy should give them something to cheer. The Black Cats' should dominate midfield but defence is the area where Sunderland are likely to win or lose the game. The quality of set-pieces could be crucial to the out come of the result but I still take Sunderland to win and go into the international break looking set fair for more improvement.

Verdict: Sunderland 2 Manchester City 1.