Game Week 6 Predictions: Pray for Burnley at the Etihad

Man City host Burnley at the Etihad as Haaland leads the charge, with Pep’s side aiming to bounce back from Arsenal draw and regain momentum.

Manchester City is expected to roll over Burnley at the Etihad, how wounded would the Clarets be at full time? (Photo credit: GOAL)

 Manchester City vs Burnley

Etihad Stadium

3:00pm

For the first time ever, a Pep Guardiola side looked so much like a prime Sam Allardyce setup, with the former champions sitting deep against Arsenal at the Emirates last weekend.

It was a different kind of game for Manchester City. They were gifted a goal early on, and they never did anything of note from that point, handing Arsenal the initiative, which nearly paid off, save for a late Gabriel Martinelli strike that robbed City of two precious points.

Burnley can look at the bright side; considering the fact that Manchester City is only three points above the Clarets, an unlikely point for Scott Parker’s side here could mean so much. It’s tough to play Liverpool, Manchester United, Spurs and City in their first six games; they can be proud of how well they have coped.

Burnley players have also pressed the self-destruct button many times. Jadon Antony conceded an avoidable penalty against Manchester United, and Mejbri Hannibal handballed in the area at the death against Liverpool. Both games could have handed them two points; instead, they went to the opponents.

Erling Haaland is in the form of his life, but the irony is that 6 goals in 5 games represents his worst start to a Premier League season. Should Burnley be worried? The run and then the finish against Arsenal describe the danger Haaland poses.

Burnley must be wary of their reckless passes in the final third. Manchester City will not forgive them for any errors. The Cityzens know what momentum can do for their hope of reclaiming their title; this is a game in which they would seek to score as many as possible.

How can Parker and Burnley stop Manchester City? First, they must hope City has a bad day; there’s little they can do if Pep Guardiola’s side hit top gear. Burnley must cut off mistakes, and they cannot afford to commit too many men forward.

It’s easy to get excited when City concedes possession to them; it could be bait to hit them hard on the counter. Burnley must not concede early; if they can frustrate City until at least the second half, City could leave too much space behind, which Burnley can then exploit on the counter.

Omar Marmoush and Ryan Cherki are unavailable, so Jeremy Doku will be expected to start, and Phil Foden will occupy the space behind Haaland. Burnley will need their goalkeeper Martin Dubravka to be active; it’s going to be a long day.

Verdict: Straight win for City.