Premier League title-chasing Manchester City host relegation-battling Burnley at the Etihad Stadium.
Victory could put second-placed Man City within two points of league leaders, Liverpool if Jurgen Klopp’s Reds lose to Chelsea in the late kick-off.
Burnley meanwhile can stay second bottom with a win and potentially move to within two points of safety.
Team News
Erling Haaland is set to return for Man City after he missed their last eight matches with a foot injury.
Manuel Akanji (knock) is also expected to be in contention.
Burnley could welcome Sander Berge and Aaron Ramsay back from illness which forced the pair to miss the Clarets’ 1-1 draw against Luton in their last league outing.
Hannes Delcroix (knock) and Jordan Beyer (thigh) are doubts but Nathan Redmond (hamstring), Charlie Taylor (shoulder) and Luca Koleosho (knee) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Man City host Burnley at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday 31 January at 7:30pm GMT, live on TNT Sport 3 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Man City are unbeaten in their last 13 league meetings against Burnley (W12, D1).
- Burnley are winless in eight previous Premier League trips to Man City (D2, L6).
- Man City have kept clean sheets in eight of their last nine league meetings against Burnley, except for a 4-1 win at Turf Moor in December 2019.
- Man City have scored first in five of their last six league matches at home (W3, D3), except in a comeback 3-3 draw against Tottenham in December 2023.
- Dara O’Shea has won more aerial duels than any other Burnley player this season, having won 57 of his 80 aerial duels in 17 appearances.
Prediction
Currently five points adrift of Liverpool but with a game in hand, Man City know that they must continue their momentum although their end product must improve after scraping a divisive winner at Tottenham in the FA Cup, amidst their overall dominance.
Burnley meanwhile have had two-and-a-half weeks to prepare of this match so I wouldn’t be surprised if there is initial rustiness, but Vincent Kompany’s Clarets have hopefully worked on their defending because that aspect plus clinical finishing will be crucial here.
I however just don’t see that happening and Man City really should take a comfortable win like they did on the opening day of this season, although Burnley might be very lucky to nick a goal if they can take their chances.
Prediction: Manchester City 3-0 Burnley
Result: Manchester City 3-1 Burnley
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