Burnley vs Man City Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 English Premier League
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THE FACTS
When is Burnley vs Man City on and what time does it start? Burnley vs Man City will take place on Friday 11th August, 2023 – 20:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Burnley vs Man City? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Burnley vs Man City on in the UK? Television rights for the Premier League in the UK are shared between Sky Sports, TNT Sports and Amazon Prime so it is worth checking their schedules for Burnley vs Man City
Where can I stream Burnley vs Man City in the UK? If Burnley vs Man City is televised, then it can be streamed on either Sky Go, discovery+ or Amazon Prime Video depending on who is broadcasting the match
THE LOWDOWN
BURNLEY
Burnley return to the Premier League after just one season in the Championship with the Clarets having steamrollered the competition in the second tier of English football last season. Having secured automatic promotion by surpassing the 100-point mark, hopes are high that they can mount a strong survival attempt in 2023-24.
The Burnley squad is fairly unrecognisable from that which was relegated a couple of seasons ago, and there is plenty of exciting talent in their ranks. Perhaps the most promising summer acquisition is that of Swiss forward Zeki Amdouni, who has been brought into refresh a frontline that has seen Ashley Barnes leave, Wout Weghorst go out on loan once again and Nathan Tella return to his parent club.
MAN CITY
There has been plenty of talk among pundits lately about whether Man City can maintain the incredible standards that propelled them towards an historic treble last season. Pep Guardiola is no man to accept complacency though, and he will be determined to guide his side towards a fourth successive Premier League title – a feat that has not been achieved by any team in the modern era.
Two of the stars that helped guide them to success over the past few seasons – Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez – have moved on to pastures new – while Mateo Kovacic has been brought in to bolster midfield and World Cup star Josko Gvardiol is the marquee signing of Man City’s transfer window.
THE TEAM NEWS
BURNLEY
With a fair few players being brought into the team, it remains to be seen who Kompany throws straight into the starting line-up. Experienced heads in the form of Jack Cork and Josh Brownhill could be preferred in central midfield, but there could be plenty of debuts elsewhere as Kompany seeks to find his best XI in the early stages of the season.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Trafford; Roberts, Beyer, O’Shea, Vitinho; Cork, Brownhill; Redmond, Amdouni, Zaroury; Rodriguez
UNAVAILABLE: Obafemi (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
MAN CITY
Pep Guardiola is blessed with a fully-fit squad from which to choose his opening Premier League team of the season, which naturally makes it very difficult to predict who starts. It seems likely that Gvardiol will be drafted in gradually rather than thrown straight in, but Mateo Kovacic is a strong candidate to feature after playing in last weekend’s Community Shield. There have been or two rumours that Ruben Dias hasn't travelled to Burnley, but this is unconfirmed.
Phil Foden will vie with Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish for one of the wide positions, while Erling Haaland is a no-brainer in attack.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Walker, Stones, Akanji, Ake; Kovacic, Rodri; Foden, De Bruyne, Grealish; Haaland
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Dias (Unknown)
THE PREDICTION
Man City legend Vincent Kompany has overseen an overhaul in style and mentality at Burnley since he took charge in June of last year, and it is curious that the fixture calendar should throw up this opening game against the club where his statue stands. Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, will relish the opportunity to go face-to-face with his former captain and will be keen to begin his title defence on a positive note. Man City have occasionally been slow starters in the Premier League and they are likely to take some time to get to their fluent best, but they should still have enough quality to ensure a win to nil at Turf Moor.
TIP: MAN CITY TO WIN TO NIL
