Prediction: Burnley vs Manchester City

Prediction: Man City win

Best Odds: 2/9

Bookmaker: bet365

The Premier League is back for some rare midweek action over the course of the next few days, as we get into the full swing of the chaos associated with what is bound to be a hectic December period for all. Teams up and down the league are separated by only a few points, and they’ll be well aware of the fact that building up some momentum heading into the New Year could be vital. Today, we’ll be looking at something of a local derby as Burnley prepare to host Manchester City up in Lancashire.

Burnley

Burnley always seem to hang around in the top flight, constantly serving as a thorn in the side of many clubs up and down the league. One minute they look like European contenders, and then the next they’re being slowly dragged into a relegation scrap. Sean Dyche has done a wonderful job with this squad and he deserves to be applauded for that, but the questions are still there in regards to just how much further they can go – and whether or not Dyche will continue to lead them forward.

Team News

Drinkwater will hope to feature in this one with Westwood also set to return from suspension, whereas Gudmundsson and Vydra are the big doubts for the home side.

Manchester City

Pep Guardiola’s side are under a substantial amount of pressure this season, to the point where there are serious concerns amongst their fanbase that they have given themselves too much to do in the race for the title opposite Liverpool. They have other objectives throughout the course of the season but if they are seen to surrender their crown to the Reds, that could have a trickle-down sort of effect which winds up impacting City for many years to come.

Team News

Sane, Zinchenko, Aguero and Laporte are all out, with Guardiola being set to put together some squad rotation due to the volume of games his side will be playing in the next few weeks.

Factors to Consider

• In their last meeting back in April, Manchester City beat Burnley 1-0.
• Burnley have won two and lost four of their last six games.
• Man City have won two, drawn three and lost one of their last six games.
• Burnley have scored nine goals and conceded 11 in their last six games.
• Man City have scored nine goals and conceded nine in their last six games.

Conclusion

Burnley are hot and cold but City are struggling more so than they have done in a long time. We do believe they’ll be able to keep themselves in the hunt with a big win here, but the Clarets are going to play them close for large portions at Turf Moor. Burnley are a strong outfit that need to be taken seriously within the top flight, and they’ll prove that by opening the scoring against the reigning champions. It won’t mean all too much in the end, though, with City securing all three points.

Prediction: Man City win

Best Odds: 2/9

Bookmaker: bet365