Two sides desperate for points at opposite ends of the Premier Table face off at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday evening as title chasing Manchester City host bottom of the league Sunderland.

Manuel Pellegrini’s sit in third place, seven points behind leaders Liverpool after they lost by three goals to two at Anfield on Sunday afternoon, though this is the first of two games they have in hand over the rest of the top four.

Yaya Toure is missing for City after suffering a groin problem last time out, while Sergio Aguero may return the starting line-up after making his return from injury as a substitute at the weekend.

Aguero is favourite to open the scoring at 3.6 (13/5) with Bet 365, with Edin Dzeko and Alvaro Negredo each priced at 4.8 (14/5) with Bet Victor.

The home win is widely available at 1.17 (1/6), with Sunderland as highly priced as the 21.0 (20/1) on offer from Bet 365, who have the draw at 10.0 (9/1).

The visitors have taken just one point from their last eight Premier League games, and lost to Everton by virtue of a Wes Brown own-goal on Saturday afternoon.

They sit rock bottom of the table, seven points from safety but can cut the deficit to a single point if they win their two games in hand.

Phil Bardsley is suspended after picking up his tenth yellow card of the season at the weekend, while Liam Bridcutt misses out for personal reasons and Carlos Cuellar, Steven Fletcher and Kieran Westwood remain out through injury.

William Hill price Fabio Borini at 21.0 (20/1) in the first goal scorers market, with ex-City midfielder Adam Johnson available at the same price with a number of firms.

The sides last met last month in the League Cup final, with the Manchester side running out 3-1 winners, while it was the Black Cats who emerged victorious at the Stadium of Light back in November.

No side in the division has scored more league goals in front of their home fans than Manchester City, so you may be tempted to back them to get at least four this time around at 2.75 (7/4) with Sporting Bet.