Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester City

Manchester City vs Burnley Preview and Prediction

Arnav Kholkar

Manchester City vs Burnley Preview

Defending Premier League champions Manchester City will host strugglers Burnley at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday, February 1. The two sides have had contrasting seasons so far but will both look to end the campaign well.

Second-placed City enter this contest on the back of a 10-game unbeaten run across competitions. During this phase, they have recorded nine wins and one draw against Crystal Palace in December. Pep Guardiola’s teams over the years have been notorious to accelerate during the business end of the campaign. Seeing their current form, it won’t come as a surprise. The Cityzens edged past Tottenham 1-0 in the 4th Round of the FA Cup in their last game, progressing to the next round.

Burnley, on the other hand, are second from the bottom of the table with 12 points from 21 games. They have failed to adjust to the demands of the Premier League and are likely to be relegated come the end of the season. With just two wins in their last 10 games, including six defeats and two draws, Kompany’s men will be lucky to get on the scoresheet against City. However, they have scored just five times in their last five games and will look to replicate that.

On that note, let’s take a look at the team news for both sides.

Team News & Probable Lineups

Manchester City

Manuel Akanji, Manchester City.

Goalkeeper Zack Steffen remains sidelined following his knee surgery in June 2023, with no return date mentioned. Erling Haaland and Manuel Akanji could be back in contention to make the squad having missed a few games. Meanwhile, Ederson will return to the starting XI following his knee issues.

None of Man City’s players are at the risk of suspension ahead of this contest. Considering they are five points off leaders Liverpool, Guardiola is likely to field his strongest XI. De Bruyne, too, could get his first start in a long time.

Probable XI: Ederson (GK), Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake, Rodri, Mateo Kovacic, Kevin De Bruyne (C), Bernardo Silva, Jeremy Doku, Julian Alvarez.

Burnley

Nineteen-year-old winger Luca Koleosho is the only Clarets players sidelined with an injury. He has been out since December and will likely return to action in a couple more months.

Manager Vincent Kompany will go with his full-strength XI to at least give a game to Man City.

Probable XI: James Trafford (GK), Vitinho, Dara O’Shea, Hjalmar Ekdal, Ameen Al-Dakhil, Johann Gudmundsson, Josh Cullen, Josh Brownhill (C), Wilson Odobert, Lyle Foster, Zeki Amdouni.

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Manchester City vs Burnley Head-to-Head & Prediction

Last 5 Games H2H (PL)

  • Burnley 0-3 Manchester City (08/23)
  • Burnley 0-2 Manchester City (04/22)
  • Manchester City 2-0 Burnley (10/21)
  • Burnley 0-2 Manchester City (02/21)
  • Manchester City 5-0 Burnley (11/20)

As you can see, the Cityzens have absolutely dominated the last five meetings against Burnley. They have scored 14 goals in that time and have not conceded a single one. The last time the Clarets even took a point off City was back in 2018, when they drew 1-1 at Turf Moor.

Guardiola’s side are likely to continue their trend of dominance and will record another big win. City’s returning players could see this as an opportunity to get back to full match fitness.

Prediction: Manchester City 4-0 Burnley.

Betting Tips

  • Manchester City to win to Nil: Yes.
  • Jeremy Doku: Anytime Goalscorer.
  • Over 3.5 Goals: Yes.

Odds

  • Manchester City Win: 1.10
  • Draw: 12.50
  • Burnley Win: 41.00

Top Players to Watch

Manchester City

In top scorer Erling Haaland’s absence, Julian Alvarez has deputized well for the towering Norwegian. With 12 goal contributions so far in the Premier League this season, the Argentine has been vital for City remaining as competitive as they have.

In a total of 31 appearances this season, Alvarez has scored 13 goals and provided 10 assists. His knack of constantly wanting to be involved with the game makes him a threat. His running between the lines as well as playmaking abilities are bound to cause Burnley problems.

Burnley

Zeki Amdouni, Burnley.

Strikers Lyle Foster and Zeki Amdouni will be in the spotlight as they face one of the best defences over the last five years or so. The two youngsters are likely to get very limited chances and will have to be at their clinical best.

Between them, they have bagged 12 goals and assists this season and have played nearly every game together. They will look to add to that tally significantly before the end of the season and hopefully save Burnley from the drop.

Manchester City vs Burnley Timings & Telecast

  • Date & Time: Thursday, February 1st 1:00 AM (IST).
  • India: Star Sports Network, Hotstar app & website.
  • UK: Sky Sports.
  • US: Peacock Premium.

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