Manchester City prepares for a thrilling New Year's Day clash against Sunderland, with the potential to extend their remarkable winning streak to an impressive nine consecutive matches.

Manager Pep Guardiola's squad enters the Stadium of Light buzzing with anticipation, fresh off a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Nottingham Forest where rising star Rayan Cherki once again demonstrated his game-changing abilities with a late winner.

The match carries additional excitement as City inches closer to completing the transfer of Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth, with personal terms already agreed for the £65 million forward. The 25-year-old's potential arrival adds further dynamism to an already formidable attacking lineup.

Key players Rodri and Jeremy Doku are potentially returning from injury, bringing depth and strategic options to Guardiola's tactical approach. Rodri, the Ballon d'Or winner, has been sidelined since his hamstring injury in early October, with the coaching staff cautiously managing his comeback after a previous lengthy ACL recovery.

Doku, who has been instrumental on the left wing this season, missed the last four victories due to a leg injury. His potential return becomes even more critical with Semenyo's imminent arrival, creating healthy competition within the squad.

The confirmed lineup showcases City's impressive roster: Donnarumma in goal, supported by Nunes, Dias, Ake, and O'Reilly in defense. The midfield features Nico, captain Bernardo, and Foden, with an attacking trio of Cherki, Haaland, and Savinho promising an electrifying performance.

As the 20:00 UK kick-off approaches, fans and analysts alike are eager to see whether Manchester City can maintain their momentum and continue their pursuit of silverware across multiple competitions in the season's second half.