After different results for EFL Cup third round, Manchester City and Burnley go resume Premier League action for Etihad Stadium this Saturday afternoon. Na the first time both sides go meet since January 2024 wey City knack Burnley 3-1 for Premier League.
Match Preview
Man City almost collect win against Arsenal last weekend but late goal deny dem. Dem bounce back midweek with 2-0 win over Huddersfield for EFL Cup. Phil Foden and Savinho score the goals as Pep Guardiola give many academy players chance, including Emile Heskey two sons – Reigan and Jaden.
Next round, City go face Swansea, but focus now dey on Premier League where dem dey try improve after collecting just 7 points from 5 matches – their lowest start since 2006-07. But against newly promoted teams, City dey fear nobody.
Dem don win 22 of their last 24 PL matches against promoted sides, plus dem don win 13 straight games against Burnley with total scoreline of 46-2.
Burnley side dey different. Dem crash out of EFL Cup after 2-1 home loss to Cardiff City midweek. Their last PL game end 1-1 against Nottingham Forest, but Scott Parker team never taste win for four matches now. They dey 16th for table with just 4 points, one point above relegation zone.
The history no favour Burnley at all – dem never win for 19 league visits to Man City since 1963, and dem don lose their last seven trips to Etihad, conceding 25 goals. To add salt, Burnley defense wey keep 30 clean sheets for Championship last season don now face more shots, more shots on target and higher xG against than any other team for Premier League this season.
Team News
Manchester City: Big boost for City as Erling Haaland fit return after small back problem. Mateo Kovacic too fit join squad after Achilles surgery, but Abdukodir Khusanov (ankle), Omar Marmoush (knee), Rayan Cherki (thigh) and Rayan Ait-Nouri still dey injured.
Donnarumma, Dias, Gvardiol, Rodri, Doku and Bernardo Silva all go likely return to starting XI. Question remain whether Rico Lewis or Matheus Nunes go start for right-back.
Burnley: Jordan Beyer (thigh), Connor Roberts (knee) and Zeki Amdouni (knee) still dey out. Jacob Bruun Larsen get small knock, him go face late fitness test. Lesley Ugochukwu don return from suspension and fit start again with Josh Cullen for midfield. Josh Laurent fit play as centre-back inside five-man defense, while veteran Kyle Walker dey ready to face him old club.
Possible Lineups
Man City XI: Donnarumma; Lewis, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Rodri; Bernardo, Reijnders, Foden, Doku; Haaland
Burnley XI: Dubravka; Walker, Laurent, Ekdal, Esteve, Hartman; Tchaouna, Cullen, Ugochukwu, Anthony; Foster
Prediction
Manchester City 3-0 Burnley
Burnley go try defend and counter, but City history against dem dey too strong. Haaland return na big wahala for Burnley defense, and Pep team get enough firepower to break dem down. Expect one comfortable home win for City.
