Burnley vs. Manchester City Predictions: Back the Champions to continue their fine away form
After what has seemed like an eternity, the Premier League is finally back this weekend. Liverpool host Watford in the early kick-off on Saturday, but our attention here will be on league leaders’ Man City’s trip 20 miles up the road to Burnley.
Burnley vs Man City tips
In the likely event that Liverpool beat Watford at Anfield in the 12:30 game, City will come into this fixture placed second in the table for the first time in what seems like forever. This game will obviously have pressure on it regardless of what happens on Merseyside, as Burnley look to fight off relegation, whilst the visitors continue to fight on three fronts.
Nathan Collins is suspended for the hosts, with checks on Ben Mee’s fitness ongoing until kick-off. The Clarets will most likely play in their traditional 4-4-2 formation, with Wout Weghorst and Maxwell Cornet leading the line. Cornet has a very good record against Saturday’s visitors, having scored four goals in three games against City during his time at Lyon, winning twice and drawing once on the three occasions that he met them in the Champions League.
Although he’s back in training ahead of schedule, Saturday’s fixture may come too soon for Ruben Dias, who will no doubt be a miss against the gigantic Weghorst. With John Stones leaving England duty, Pep Guardiola may be forced to play Laporte and Ake in the middle of the back four. Elsewhere, good form from Jack Grealish and Phil Foden over the international break could see them start, with Riyad Mahrez looking likely to occupy the right wing. As ever, we’ve looked ahead to the game, and put together two tips for it.
First up, we’re looking at Manchester lad Josh Brownhill to be booked on the day against City. Only three players in the Premier League have picked up more bookings this season than Brownhill (8), and he’s the joint-highest at Burnley. He’s averaging a card every 3 fouls in the league this season, and considering he hasn’t been booked for his last two fouls, the law of averages may be on our side here!
With The Clarets tending to go with a 4-4-2 formation, there should be more space in the middle for any of City’s front five to occupy, and don’t be surprised if Brownhill or Westwood (11/5) get overrun and make their way into the ref’s book.
Next up, we’re looking at Man City’s mercurial magician on the wing to score the opening goal here. Riyad Mahrez has a remarkable record against Burnley in the blue of Man City. Despite not scoring in the last encounter, he’d previously bagged seven goals in 259 minutes against Sean Dyche’s men when playing for City, and even though he didn’t strike last time out, he did manage to pick up an assist.
Looking back further, Mahrez provided three goal contributions against Burnley when playing for Leicester, so it’s clear he has a fondness for this fixture. Given Algeria’s heartbreak at not reaching the World Cup, Mahrez may be playing with fire in his stomach, and will want to make sure of domestic success this season. As City’s top goalscorer this season, who better to get them up and running on Saturday?
Good luck if you’re following any of these bets, and please gamble responsibly.
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