Manchester City look to continue their winning form against Burnley in a huge Premier League encounter.
Should Bournemouth and Crystal Palace both lose elsewhere, victory will lift Man City up to at least fourth on goal difference.
Burnley can climb to 11th if Manchester United, Leeds and Brighton lose elsewhere.
Team News
Erling Haaland is set to be available for Man City after he missed their Carabao Cup victory at Huddersfield due to a back injury.
Mateo Kovacic (Achilles) faces a late fitness check but Rayan Cherki (hamstring), Omar Marmoush (knee), Rayan Ait-Nouri and Abdukodir Khusanov (both ankle) are ruled out.
Burnley could welcome Jacob Bruun Larsen back after he missed their last two matches with a heel injury.
Zeki Amdouni (ACL), Jordan Beyer and Conor Roberts (both knee) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Man City host Burnley at Etihad Stadium on Saturday 27 September at 3pm BST, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Man City have avoided defeat in their last 14 Premier League meetings against Burnley (W13, D1).
- Burnley are winless in nine previous Premier League trips to Man City (D2, L7).
- Rodri scored in each of City’s last two meetings against Burnley (W2).
- No Man City player this season has averaged a higher expected goals total than Haaland (6.26).
- Jaidon Anthony has scored in three of Burnley’s last four league matches.
Prediction
Currently unbeaten since the international break and with several regulars rested at Huddersfield after a frustrating 1-1 draw in their last league outing at Arsenal, Man City will certainly view this as very winnable given the fresh legs and form against Burnley.
Scott Parker’s Clarets meanwhile know that this is realistically a free hit given their awful away form at City so I wouldn’t be surprised if they try and deploy the defensive tactics which frustrated Liverpool at home a fortnight ago, but this will be an even tougher ask.
In fact I expect this to be an one-sided result with a simple question of how many goals will City score such is their superior quality.
Prediction: Man City 3-0 Burnley
Result: Man City 5-1 Burnley
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