Match Preview for Manchester City v Burnley

Manchester City and Burnley turn their attention back to Premier League action this Saturday afternoon at the Etihad Stadium after experiencing very different fortunes in midweek Carabao Cup ties.

The two sides last met in January 2024, when City eased to a 3-1 win, and Pep Guardiola’s men will be aiming to extend their dominant record over the Clarets.

City steadied themselves after their late collapse against Arsenal last weekend by cruising past League One Huddersfield Town 2-0 in the Cup.

Phil Foden and Savinho found the net, while Pep Guardiola handed senior debuts to Emile Heskey’s sons, Reigan and Jaden, alongside a host of academy players.

That result sealed City’s 12th Carabao Cup fourth-round appearance in the past 13 years, setting up a trip to Swansea.

But their immediate focus is a busy week with league games against Burnley and Brentford either side of a Champions League clash with Monaco.

With just seven points from their opening five matches – their lowest haul at this stage since 2006-07 – City know they need momentum quickly.

History is firmly on their side though, as they have won 22 of their last 24 league meetings with promoted clubs, and have beaten Burnley in 13 straight encounters across all competitions by a combined scoreline of 46-2.

Burnley, meanwhile, were dumped out of the Carabao Cup after a shock 2-1 defeat at home to Cardiff City.

Head coach Scott Parker admitted his much-changed side “fell short of our standards” and the Clarets’ winless run now stretches to four matches in all competitions.

Currently 16th in the table, Parker’s men have struggled for results, most recently drawing 1-1 with Nottingham Forest.

The odds are stacked against them this weekend too: Burnley are winless in 19 league visits to City since 1963, and have conceded 25 goals across their last seven top-flight trips to the Etihad.

City remain without Abdukodir Khusanov (ankle), Omar Marmoush (knee), Rayan Cherki (thigh), Rayan Ait-Nouri (knock) and Mateo Kovacic (Achilles).

Erling Haaland is a slight concern after a back problem ruled him out against Huddersfield, though Guardiola is optimistic his top scorer will be fit to return.

The Norwegian has scored six of City’s nine league goals this term (67%).

Guardiola rotated heavily in midweek but is expected to restore his stars, with Gianluigi Donnarumma, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Rodri, Tijjani Reijnders, Jeremy Doku and captain Bernardo Silva all set to start.

The right-back slot could be filled by Rico Lewis or Matheus Nunes in Khusanov’s absence.

For Burnley, Jordan Beyer (thigh), Connor Roberts (knee) and Zeki Amdouni (knee) are out, while Jacob Bruun Larsen is a doubt. Lesley Ugochukwu returned from suspension in midweek and competes with Florentino Luis for a midfield berth.

Josh Laurent may again be used in a back three, joined by Hjalmar Ekdal and Maxime Esteve. Veteran right-back Kyle Walker is in line to face his former club, where he enjoyed huge success during his Etihad years.

Expected line-ups for Manchester City v Burnley

Manchester City: Donnarumma; Lewis, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Rodri; Bernardo Silva, Reijnders, Foden, Doku; Haaland

Burnley: Dubravka; Walker, Laurent, Ekdal, Esteve, Hartman; Tchaouna, Cullen, Ugochukwu, Anthony; Foster

How to watch Manchester City v Burnley: TV channel, online stream

Manchester City v Burnley will kick-off at 3pm on Saturday but is not being broadcast due to the regular blackout. International viewers can access the game through various channels.

The stats for Manchester City v Burnley

• Man City are unbeaten in their last 19 home league meetings with Burnley (W13 D6)
• City have won 13 consecutive games against the Clarets in all competitions, scoring 46 and conceding just twice
• Burnley’s last league win at City came in March 1963 (5-2)
• The Citizens have taken 22 wins from their last 24 PL games against promoted clubs
• Haaland has scored 67% of City’s league goals this season (6 of 9)
• Burnley have faced the most shots (95) and shots on target (25) in the Premier League so far this term

Prediction

Manchester City have too much quality for a Burnley side still finding their feet back in the top flight. Even if Haaland is not at full fitness, City’s depth and dominance at the Etihad should see them through comfortably.

Prediction: Manchester City 3-0 Burnley