---
title: "Read Sunderland’s XI vs Manchester City"
canonical: "https://readsunderland.com/2015/09/21/read-sunderlands-xi-vs-manchester-city/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Chris Sparks"
section: "Articles"
published: "2015-09-21T17:45:45Z"
modified: "2015-09-21T17:45:45Z"
---

# Read Sunderland’s XI vs Manchester City

***Each week before every Sunderland game, you along with a few representatives from Read Sunderland will decide who they would choose to grace the pitch for the Black Cats and why.***

***Think yours is better than any of ours? Tweet @RadSunderland your XI in the days leading up to the next game and you might be the first to be picked to have your say on Read Sunderland. Below is Read Sunderland’s XI vs Manchester City in the Capital One Cup.***

**Chris Sparks (4-3-3)** Mannone, Yedlin, O’Shea, Brown, Van Aanholt, M’Vila, Rodwell, Toivonen, Johnson, Lens, Borini.

I’ve gone for five changes to the team that lost to Bournemouth on Saturday, with Dick Advocaat needing to mix things up. Three of the back four are changed for me, with Yedlin coming in for his debut, and O’Shea and Brown renewing their old partnership. Further forward Jack Rodwell replaces Jordi Gomez who has been poor since returning to the side. Up front I’ve gone for Fabio Borini in the middle, with Adam Johnson replacing the poor Jermain Defoe to face his old club.

![Paul Thomas/Getty Images Sport](https://readsunderland.com/https://media.readsunderland.com/readsunderland/2015/09/472749624.jpg)

**Joe Rowell (4-2-3-1)** Pantilimon; Yedlin, O’Shea, Coates, Van Aanholt; M’Vila, Rodwell; Johnson, Toivonen, Lens; Borini.

O’Shea for Kaboul is the only mandatory change with Kaboul’s suspension and O’Shea’s return following an illness. I’d also give a first start to DeAndre Yedlin with Billy Jones having a rather poor season so far, giving Yedlin a chance will either prove Yedlin’s ability or tell Jones he has some competition. Rodwell in for Gomez also because following Gomez’ return from injury, he held his own against Spurs but was outrun and outperformed against Bournemouth’s midfield. Rodwell and M’Vila should have more bite, strength and physicality against Manchester City. Defoe has had a number of chances in the last two games and has fluffed them all, therefore I think bringing Johnson in allowing Borini to play the central role just to give Defoe a rest, and see what Borini can do as the central striker.

![Tom Dulat/Getty Images Sport](https://readsunderland.com/https://media.readsunderland.com/readsunderland/2015/09/4891022862.jpg)

**Ryan Groves (4-3-3)** Pantilimon, Jones, O’Shea, Coates, Van Aanholt, M’Vila, Gomez, Toivonen, Lens, Borini, Defoe.

![Matthew Ashton/Getty Images Sport](https://readsunderland.com/https://media.readsunderland.com/readsunderland/2015/09/4880385761.jpg)

I’ve gone for an unchanged side apart from O’Shea replacing the suspended Younes Kaboul. I think the side who lost on Saturday should be given the opportunity to redeem themselves and what better way to do that and build up confidence than causing a cup shock?