Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini says the Sunderland game will not be an easy one for his players.
The Citizens face Gus Poyet's side after last weekend's impressive win over Southampton hoping to cut the gap from leaders Chelsea.
"It's a tough team to play," the Chilean said.
"They defend very well and they know exactly what they must do. We hope this time we have more luck. They have a very good manager who knows the Premier League."
Meanwhile, the manager says Vincent Kompany will be assessed on Wednesday morning ahead of the game against the Black Cats.
"With [Vincent] Kompany, we'll see tomorrow," Pellegrini said.
"We'll know this afternoon exactly what Vincent has. He has an injury to his hamstring - we'll see how long it'll be."
Asked if midfielder Frank Lampard will extend his stay at the club, Pellegrini said: "I said December, but not the first or the second, we have the whole month of December to decide.
"When he came here I expected that he would be the same player he has been his whole career because he is a top player.
"For his age, he cannot play three games in a week for 90 minutes but his quality is the same as two or three years ago."
