MANCHESTER CITY VS BURNLEY: PREVIEW

Champions Manchester City look to continue there already impressive form when playing at the Etihad Stadium when they host Burnley this weekend. The game is set to kick off at 3PM and therefore will not be broadcast on TV for UK audiences.

Manchester City have carried on their impressive home form from last season with four consecutive wins and 13 goals scored.

They currently sit top of the table, joint on points with Chelsea and Liverpool but 5 goals ahead on goal difference.

Manchester City faced Burnley on 3 occasions in their record-breaking previous season. Beating them by 3 goals on the first and second occasions but drawing with them in the third making Burnley one of the only sides to take points from Guardiola’s men last season.

Source: Manchester City FC

MANAGERS COMMENTS:

Here is what Manchester City Manager Pep Guardiola had to say in his pre-match press conference:

On Jaden Sancho: “We know what we have done with Jadon. We did absolutely everything and he decided to move on to Germany so all the best. He’s doing really well. He’s started his career and hopefully he can achieve what he was looking for.”

On Joe Hart: “I think Joe is undoubtedly important to the club. Tomorrow we will see how appreciated he is by our fans.”

On Burnley playing in Europe: “I think it always helps to play in Europe. It is more demanding physically and mentally with just three or four days to recover but if you want to take the next step as a club it is good.”

Guardiola also gave an injury update saying Fabian Delph is back to fitness and is available, Gundogan will be sidelined for 2-3 weeks and star man Kevin de Bruyne, though perhaps unable to play the whole 90 minutes, will be available.

Sean Dyche’s Burnley on the other hand have not been able to carry their momentum from last season into this campaign.

They sit 12th in the Premier League table and despite a draw last season, may feel like this is a game where they will be lucky to get anything from it.

They come into this game off of a draw at home to Huddersfield, a game Burnley would’ve pinpointed as an opportunity to get 3 points.

Here is what Sean Dyche had to say in the build-up this weekend’s game:

On Manchester City: “They are establishing themselves with a more recent history, but a powerful history nonetheless. There’s a lot to be like and marvelled at.

“But, there is equally a lot to remind yourselves of what we’re about and we have to remember that.”

On Burnley’s form: “We’ve had an indifferent start to the season, in some ways, in our form.”

“But to come out of that with the points on the table in the last few games has been pleasing, because you need to find a way to get points.”

He also confirmed Robbie Brady and Stephen Ward will miss the game though Steven Defour could come back into the side.

Both teams are looking for every single point they can get their hands on though the game could turn out to be a more one-sided affair.

TEAM NEWS:

City midfielder de Bruyne is available for the champions after recovering from a knee injury, but it is uncertain whether they will start the Belgium international.

Fabian Delph is also now available for City, but Ilkay Gundogan is still sidelined.

Steven Defour could make his first league appearance for Burnley since the new year, after being ruled out for a knee injury.

James Tarkowski is expected to be fit again, with the central defender withdrawing from the England squad recently.

Source: The Times

STATS:

Manchester City have only won four of their last eight games in the Premier League games against Burnley (D3, L1).

Burnley are winless in their last 14 league games away at City (D6, L8), their most recent victory in a top-flight game back in 1963 at Maine Road.

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