Man City vs Burnley Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Manchester City are looking to find some consistency as they welcome newly-promoted and an extremely stubborn Burnley side to the Etihad Stadium this weekend.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – USA Network
How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / US – Universo
Man City preview: Finding their relentlessness
Manchester City have won so many league titles under the management of Pep Guardiola as a result of getting on long winning streaks that have allowed them to simply ease away from their competitors, but that consistency is missing.
City have returned from the September international break with three victories and a draw across all competitions, but their performances remain so different to the City of the past, and there are concerns about just how good they are this season.
Burnley preview: Difficult to play against
Following their promotion back to the top-flight last season, with a simply ridiculous defensive record whereby they conceded just 15 goals in 46 games, Burnley head to the Etihad looking to make things difficult for their hosts.
Burnley have proven themselves capable of shutting teams down in the Premier League, as they come into this one on the back of a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest after last-minute losses to Manchester United and then Liverpool.
Man City team news: Haaland is 'ready'
Ahead of the visit of Burnley to Manchester this weekend, Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Erling Braut Haaland is 'ready' to face the Clarets after reports of a knock in midweek.
City will remain without Abdukodir Khusanov, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rayan Cherki and Omar Marmoush, whilst Mateo Kovacic is said to be closing in on a return.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Stones, Dias, Gvardiol, Ake; Silva, Rodri, Reijnders; Foden, Haaland, Doku
Unavailable: Khusanov (Injured), Ait-Nouri (Injured), Kovacic (Injured), Cherki (Injured), Marmoush (Injured)
Questionable:
Burnley team news: Nothing fresh
In his pre-match press conference, Scott Parker has confirmed that Burnley have 'no major concerns' after their midweek defeat to League One side Cardiff City in the EFL Cup the other day.
Jacob Bruun Larsen is a fitness doubt, despite returning to training, whilst Albania international striker Armando Broja also has to build himself back up to match fitness before being involved.
Predicted XI (3-4-3): Dubravka; Laurent, Ekdal, Esteve; Walker, Luis, Cullen, Hartman; Anthony, Foster, Tchaouna
Unavailable: Beyer (Injured), Roberts (Injured), Amdouni (Injured), Broja (Fitness)
Questionable: Bruun Larsen (Fitness)
Man City vs Burnley prediction
In those aforementioned defeats to United and Liverpool, Burnley were extremely impressive defensively. The Clarets keep things tight and make awkward angles for teams to play against, even the best. City are no longer the best and they have certainly lacked the fluency and cohesion in the final third that they had. City should ease to victory in what is a Lancashire derby, but it is unlikely to be thriller for the neutral.
Man City vs Burnley tip: Man City to win & under 3.5 goals
