PL PREVIEW: Burnley v Manchester City

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Build-up as the Clarets face the league leaders on another big night at Turf Moor

2021-02-03T13:30:58.063Z

PL PREVIEW: Burnley v Manchester City

Build-up as the Clarets face the league leaders on another big night at Turf Moor

2021-02-03T13:30:58.063Z

Build-up as the Clarets face the league leaders on another big night at Turf Moor

The Clarets will be trying to end another record run when they take on Premier League leaders Manchester City at Turf Moor.

A fortnight ago, Sean Dyche’s men became the first team to win a league fixture at Anfield for close to four years as they ended Liverpool’s record unbeaten home league sequence at 68 games.

Tonight, the Clarets will attempt to end City’s club-record 12-match winning streak by becoming the first side to take points from the 2019 champions since West Bromwich Albion in mid-December.

And despite the probability of missing a few key men, Dyche knows his side will have to be at their best to add City to Liverpool and Arsenal as the top-flight ‘big guns’ they have beaten this season.

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“When we’re really on top of our performance we can challenge in different ways, even against the big sides,” said the Burnley boss, whose side will also be looking to follow up last week’s home win over ninth-placed Aston Villa.

“When these teams really turn up – individually and collectively – we know there is a big gap in the Premier League.

“Against Manchester City it’s a similar scenario to a lot of these teams. If they turn up and play to their max it can be a tough day.

“On the other hand, if they have a quiet day or a few off……..

“It would be helpful to have full-hit, full-strength, but I know what our team is and it’s still a team that I know can be competitive.”

Team news

The Clarets have injury concerns over a handful of players.

Top scorer Chris Wood, winger Robbie Brady look likely to miss out with injuries sustained at Chelsea.

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Striker Ashley Barnes, midfielder Josh Brownhill and left-back Charlie Taylor will require checks to see whether they can be involved in the first of three games in seven days for the Clarets.

City will be without play-maker Kevin De Bruyne due to a hamstring injury and striker Sergio Aguero, who is building back to fitness following Covid.

Defender Nathan Ake will also be absent.

Form guide

The Clarets’ three-match winning run was ended by a 2-0 defeat at Chelsea on Sunday.

That was a third defeat in five league games for Burnley but Sean Dyche’s men have lost only four times in 11 league fixtures since a 5-0 defeat at Manchester City at the end of November.

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The Clarets have also won four and drawn one of their last six games at Turf Moor.

City are unbeaten in 19 games in all competitions and have lost only twice this season.

Pep Guardiola’s side has won a club-record 12 games in a row with three successive away league victories helping them go to the top of the table.

Opposition camp

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola: “Always I think when playing Burnley, especially away, is that it will never be easy.

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“They have played together for Sean Dyche for a long time and they know what to do really well.

“The past is nothing. Every team is a new chance, a new challenge, to do a good game.

“I pay zero attention to what happened in the past. It is about tonight, what we have to do to beat them. That is only my concern.”

Match stats

Ben Mee captains the Clarets for the 100th time.

Burnley striker Jay Rodriguez is set to make his 350th career league appearance.

PL PREVIEW: Burnley v Manchester City - Image 5

Clarets’ keeper Nick Pope has made the second most saves in the Premier League this season, behind West Bromwich Albion’s Sam Johnstone, and has the highest save success rate.

Manchester City are seeking to equal a club record of six consecutive clean sheets.

City are also looking for a 13th successive win in all competitions to equal the run last posted by a Premier Club in 2002 by Arsenal.

The Clarets have gone nine games without a win against City in the Premier League.

Referee

Martin Atkinson

VAR

Stuart Attwell

Kick-off

Wednesday 6pm

Broadcast

BT Sport

Commentary on Clarets+