The first piece of silverware will be decided on Sunday as City and Sunderland clash in the Capital One Cup final at Wembley. In the first domestic final of the English season, both Manuel Pellegrini and Gus Poyet are looking to claim a major trophy at the first time of asking.

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For City Joleon Lescott and Javi Garcia have played in all of City’s five Capital One Cup games leading up to the final. Costel Pantilimon, Dedryck Boyata, Aleksandar Kolarov, Jesus Navas, Alvaro Negredo and Edin Dzeko, meanwhile, have all taken part in four. Pellegrini could decide to stick to his guns and trust the players who helped the club reach Wembley. Striking duo Dzeko and Negredo have each scored six apiece in the competition this season, and with Sergio Aguero still unsure of a return, they look certain to start. Forward Stevan Jovetic (hamstring) and defender Matija Nastasic (knee) are both ruled out. Manuel Pellegrini has a decision to make in goal, as he has been using Costel Pantilimon for all of his cup games since the turn of the year - including the semi-final double-header against West Ham - but Joe Hart has returned to form in recent months and will be eager to play.

For Sunderland Liam Bridcutt will be the only significant absentee. The midfielder is cup-tied having already played for former club Brighton in the competition. Lee Cattermole is likely to play the holding role in front of Gus Poyet's back four at Wembley. Striker Connor Wickham will not be involved having joined Leeds on loan for the rest of the season on Wednesday, while keeper Keiren Westwood (shoulder) is the only man to miss out through injury. Sunderland's main threat will come from former Sky Blue Adam Johnson — who has nine goals in all competitions this season.

Stats

- In City’s three league cup finals (1970, 1974 and 1976) each game has ended 2-1, with The Citizens winning twice.

- The only previous League Cup clash between Man City and Sunderland came in the third round in 1979/80. The Mackems progressed in a replay beating City at Maine Road 1-0.

- Alvaro Negredo and Edin Dzeko are the joint-top scorers in the competition, with six goals apiece.

- Should City win the final without conceding, they would be the first team to lift the trophy by only conceding once (Chelsea conceded twice in 2006/07 in total).

- City have scored 19 goals in the Capital One Cup this season, conceding just once.

Photo: Action Images

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