Burnley welcome Manchester City to Turf Moor in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
The hosts come into this game needing a win, with the gap between themselves and safety sitting at four points. With Everton not playing until Sunday, Burnley would go within a point of the Toffees with a victory here.
There’s plenty on the line for the visitors also. Before this game even kicks off, Manchester City could find themselves two points behind Liverpool in the title race. That’s assuming the Reds get the job done against Watford in the early kick off.
Sean Dyche’s men are on a run of form that’s seen them win just two of their last ten games. Three points here would be massive for The Clarets, as unlikely as it seems.
The visitors arrive in pretty healthy form themselves. Pep Guardiola’s side have lost just one of their last ten games in all competitions, winning seven.
Goals have been the number one issue for Burnley in recent matches. In their last five Premier League fixtures, they’ve only managed to score two goals. That will be a big concern for the hosts heading into this game.
City have no such concerns, having scored 22 goals in their last ten games. They’ve also scored four or more goals on four separate occasions in that same time frame.
Going purely on form, this should be a straightforward away win. As we well know, the Premier League is incredibly unpredictable and anything can happen here.
Below, we’ll preview this Premier League fixture and provide our predictions, the team news, our recommended bets and more…
Burnley vs Manchester City Predictions
This game will have a significant impact both at the top and the bottom of the Premier League table. Because of that, the whole of Merseyside will also have their eyes on the results of this game.
A win for City will relieve some pressure on Everton, while simultaneously dealing a blow to Liverpool’s title hopes. Liverpool fans, of course, will be praying for a shock Burnley win.
Out of the two outcomes, it’s the former that appears to be the most likely. The champions’ defeat to Tottenham in February was their only one in their last 20 games in all competitions.
The Citizens haven’t lost on the road in the Premier League since the opening day of the season. That defeat also came at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur.
To survive in the Premier League, a team will generally have to make their home ground a fortress. That’s something Burnley haven’t been able to do so far this season.
Despite being renowned for their impressive defence in previous years, Sean Dyche’s men have crumbled on multiple occasions. In their last ten games at Turf Moor, Burnley have managed just two wins.
One of those wins was a shock defeat of Tottenham in February. If they can repeat that performance, they will certainly be in with a chance here.
Granted, it would require Manchester City to have an off day, too, but that’s not impossible. What they will do is present Burnley with a potential lose-lose situation.
If the hosts try to defend, City will eventually find a way through. If they attack, they leave themselves seriously vulnerable to the counter. It should be a fascinating encounter.
Read on for our Burnley vs Manchester City predictions and best bets.
Burnley vs Manchester City Head to Head
In the last ten meetings between these sides, Burnley have won just once. One game ended in a draw and the other eight went the way of Manchester City.
That sole victory for Burnley came all the way back in 2015. A second half George Boyd strike was enough to secure a 1-0 win for the Clarets at Turf Moor.
The only draw between these in the last ten meetings came in February 2018. Danilo gave City a first half lead, before Johann Gudmundsson levelled it at 1-1 and that’s how it ended.
Since that draw, the teams have met four times. City have won all four, scoring ten and conceding just one.
The most recent meeting came in February 2021. First half strikes from Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling secured a comfortable 2-0 win. It could have been more, but for a disallowed Riyad Mahrez strike.
The head to head form is heavily in Manchester City’s favour heading into this clash. Will the visitors continue their dominance over Sean Dyche and his team?
Burnley Team News – L L L D W
The hosts come into this with a bit of an issue in defence. Ben Mee’s injury means he is set to miss out here. Deputy Nathan Collins received a red card against Brentford last time out and misses out through suspension.
It will be interesting to see who Dyche decides to partner alongside James Tarkovski at the heart of defence. In any case, it will be Nick Pope who starts the game in goal behind the defence.
Connor Roberts is expected to start the game at right back for the hosts. Charlie Taylor looks to be back to full fitness following injury and is likely to play the full 90 minutes at left back.
Ashley Westwood and Josh Brownhill are expected to partner each other in the centre of midfield. Aaron Lennon will start on the right side of midfield, with Dwight McNeil on the left side.
Wout Weghorst only has a single goal so far for the home side but is expected to start up front. He is likely to be partnered by Maxwel Cornet.
Manchester City Team News – W D D W W
Pep Guardiola is infamous for being unpredictable in his starting XI selections. Despite that, our Burnley vs Manchester City predictions expect Ederson to start the game in goal.
Aymeric Laporte and John Stones are likely to partner one another in the centre of defence. Kyle Walker will start at right wing back, with Joao Cancelo at left wing back.
Rodri is expected to anchor the midfield three. Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva will complete the midfield three.
Without an obvious number nine at the club, Guardiola is expected to opt for a fluid attacking trio. That could see Jack Grealish, Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez start the game up front.
Burnley vs Manchester City Betting Tips
The home side aren’t expected to win this game and that’s reflected in the odds on offer. The hosts are priced up at a massive 11/1 to win in our Burnley vs Manchester City match bets.
If you think City could struggle to break down the Burnley defence, you can back the draw at 5/1. Although only one of the last ten have ended all square between these clubs.
The visitors are expected to get the job done and take the three points at Turf Moor. Our traders have City priced up as 2/9 favourites to win.
All things considered, a Manchester City win looks highly likely here. The match odds aren’t too tempting though and we’ll have to find some value in the alternative markets.
