Game One Predictions: Can Burnley stop City's Haaland?

Erling Haaland remains the man to beat in front of goals, can Burnley stop him? (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

Burnley vs. Manchester City
Turf Moor

7:45pm

It seems like ages go by, but today, the English Premier League returns to screens across the world, and the first fixture is between the master and his apprentice, Pep Guardiola, against Vincent Kompany.

The Clarets won the Championship League last season with the former Manchester City defending blowing opponents out of the waters; unlike the bogey Burnley that people were used to, they’re about to see a "tiki-taka" Burnley under Vincent Kompany.

Manchester City went from a good team to immortals last season, beating all comers to win the Premier League title right under the nose of Arsenal. City beat Manchester United to the FA Cup title and eventually achieved the holy grail, beating Inter Milan to the Champions League.

The treble winners will put their golden crowns on the line; they will walk the hard, long Premier League road again, filled with thorns from London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Merseyside; they will do it all over again, but it starts at Turf Moor.

Kompany will return to the Premier League, where he rose to become a legend, one eye on the trophy he lifted aloft before he walked and the other on the new story with the Clarets, David, and Goliath all over again, and this time, would the stone of the little man sting like it did in the ancient books?

Burnley will line up to enjoy their first game since going down two seasons ago; only a handful of the lads that went down with the Clarets two seasons ago will get the chance to step out on Friday behind Jack Cork, who would lead them out.

The Premier League would be introduced to Zeki Amdouni and Anass Zarouri, but how will they contain the quality in the Manchester City side? Do Kompany and his company of dreamers have what it takes to beat the Premier League champions?

Manchester City lost their first chance to win silverware at Wembley last weekend, losing 4-1 to the Gunners on penalties after the game ended 1-1 in the Community Shield Cup. There’s nothing to worry about as they have gone on to win the title in the last three seasons despite losing the Shield Cup.

The Cityzens need to sign someone to replace Riyad Mahrez, who left for Saudi Arabia after bringing in Matteo Kovacic to cover for Ilkay Gundogan’s absence. Phil Foden and Cole Palmer would be the ones to watch out for, but Erling Haaland will be out there doing what he knows how to do best.