Burnley FC
Manchester City FC
Manchester City FC
Unstoppable Manchester City out to extend four point gap at the top of the table against Burnley
Manchester to win 3-1
Manchester City are now looking like a clear favourite to win the league this season, albeit with 18 matches still to go.
They have fought back from a lacklustre start to the season to win nine of their previous 11 matches, overtaking 12 teams in that period to sit on top of the pile with a four point gap.
Manchester United may well have won their fixture against Southampton 24 hours before this game kicks off, so the gap could be reduced to a point at this stage. However, City will feel that with their current form, they can overcome a challenging test at Turf Moor.
Burnley stumbled a little in their revival mission with a loss over the weekend. The Clarets had won their last two matches and looked in fine form before a Chelsea side out to impress their new manager showed up to win 2-0.
This will be a stiff test for City here.
Form Guide (all comps): LWWWL
Reasons to be cheerful:
Three wins from last five represents good form for Burnley
Showed their big match quality by beating Liverpool recently
Reasons to be fearful:
City are the best team in the country right now
Strikers Barnes and Wood to be assessed for injury
The side from Turf Moor have won four of their previous six home matches in the league, which is as many as they managed in their previous 16 attempts, showing real progress.
Burnley ended Liverpool’s unbelievable unbeaten away record the other week, though will need a far greater performance to see off Manchester City here, a side who are arguably the in-form team in Europe currently.
As well as keeping the ball out of their own net, Burnley’s problem may also be scoring themselves, with regular strike partners Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood facing late fitness tests after receiving knocks recently.
It’s a tough old ask this, for Burnley to take something from a City side who could run away with things at the top if the other sides aren’t careful.
Star Man – James Tarkowksi
The England centre back must be at his absolute best alongside captain Ben Mee in order to keep Manchester City’s attack quiet.
Form Guide (all comps): WWWWW
Reasons to be cheerful:
Seeking a record-equalling 13 successive wins in all competitions
Such a variety of quality players to choose from
Reasons to be fearful:
Will be wary after Burnley beat Liverpool the other week
Kevin De Bruyne remains on the sidelines
Manchester City can become the first Premier League side since Arsenal in 2002 to record 13 straight victories in all competitions, with the table toppers looking in unstoppable form right now.
With sides below them, such as Manchester United, Leicester and Liverpool all dropping points recently, City have taken advantage to steal in and open up a four-point gap at the top. Should United fail to win 24 hours earlier, that gap could widen here.
In their ranks, City have some marvellous players who could all be rotated in and out of the side with little difference in quality.
Mahrez and Jesus scored in the last two matches, but it could just as easily have been Silva, Sterling or Foden. Sergio Aguero is also fit once again, though is likely to be eased back gradually into action.
Star Man – Ilkay Gundogan
One of the first names on the teamsheet at the moment. The German international is in sparkling form in front of goal.
City will boss possession
The longer Burnley can hold out the better
The away side are huge favourites here
Burnley will take note from City’s game against Sheffield United that, even though The Blades played solidly and defended well, because they conceded early on they were never really in the game.
What the Clarets must do is to keep things tight for as long as possible, and then break out on the counterattack.
City will know all about being patient against teams who sit back, and will surely have the quality to prevail here.
Manchester to win 3-1
