Manchester City host Burnley on Saturday afternoon in what could be a galling afternoon for the visitors. Pep Guardiola’s side have been in sensational form this season and their recent wins over both Chelsea and Napoli would have seen eyes cast from across Europe, as they’ve significantly improved since last year.
While much will be made of City’s attacking options, it’s been defensively where they’ve been most improved. John Stones has been in great form since the start of the season, while Kyle Walker has justified his price tag, but one of City’s biggest improvements has been in goal. Claudio Bravo was bought in last year to play out from the back, but his handling was poor. Ederson is just as good with his feet, but his handling is far superior when compared to the Chilean and his arrival has significantly boosted the confidence of the defence.
Burnley, meanwhile, are in the middle of a six-game unbeaten run, but they left it late to secure a draw against 10-man West Ham last week. Chris Wood scored the equaliser late on as the Clarets continued their good start to the season. Sean Dyche’s side are currently sat in seventh in the league, with their away form particularly impressive so far this campaign.
Manchester City vs. Burnley Predictions
It doesn’t get much more difficult for Burnley here. City have so many attacking threats that it’s almost impossible for them to be stopped. If Burnley mark de Bruyne, then David Silva will take them apart and vice versa. There’s pace on the wings and it’s very difficult to see how they can be stopped here.
Manchester City vs. Burnley Betting Tips
- Manchester City to win: 1/10
- Draw: 17/2
- Burnley to win: 25/1
- Raheem Sterling to score 2 or more: 15/4
- Manchester City to win 5-0: 11/1
Head to Head
- Manchester City are unbeaten in their first eight Premier League matches with a win percentage of 87.5%.
- Their last three Premier League matches at the Etihad have seen them score 17 goals – an average of 5.67 goals per game.
- Manchester City’s 29 goals in eight league matches is the most prolific start since Everton in 1894/95.
- Their attacking trio of Sergio Aguero, Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling have all scored six Premier League goals this season.
- Manchester City top the charts in not just the Premier League table, but in statistical metrics too. They have the highest average pass completion (89%) and the highest average possession (64.9%) in the league.
- Burnley are yet to lose while Nick Pope has played in goal, while Sean Dyche’s men are currently on a six-match unbeaten run in the Premier League.
- They have picked up more points away from home this season, as of the 13 points accrued in total, they have earned eight on the road and five at Turf Moor.
- Of the teams in the top half of the Premier League table, Burnley are the second lowest goalscorers with just eight goals in as many games.
- They have however only conceded six goals at the other end, currently meaning that they have the fourth meanest defence in the Premier League behind both Manchester clubs and Tottenham.
- Four Burnley players have played every minute of their Premier League campaign so far – Ben Mee, Jack Cork, James Tarkowski and Matthew Lowton.
Manchester City Team News
Pep Guardiola has named an unchanged team for City’s last three games, but he might change it up for Saturday as Sergio Aguero nears a return to fitness after his car crash. Benjamin Mendy is out, with Fabian Delph likely to get the nod over Danilo once again on Saturday.
Possible Manchester City XI: Ederson Moraes, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Nicolas Otamendi, Fabian Delph, Kevin de Bruyne, Fernandinho, David Silva, Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus, Leroy Sane
Burnley Team News
Tom Heaton and Jonathan Walters are both out, while Dean Marney and Nakhi Wells are also struggling for fitness. Sam Vokes and Johan Berg Gudmundsson could all start and Burnley’s top goalscorer this season, Chris Wood, looks likely to play upfront.
Possible Burnley XI: Nick Pope, Matthew Lowton, James Tarkowski, Ben Mee, Stephen Ward, Robbie Brady, Steven Defour, Jack Cork, Scott Arfield, Jeff Hendrick, Chris Wood