This weekend, English Premier League action is back and to kick us off we have Burnley against Manchester City and we took a closer look at how the game could pan out at Turf Moor.
Burnley will be hoping to have a good start back in the Premier League after Vincent Kompany guided them to Championship glory last term at their first time of trying.
Manchester City will be fully expected to win this one after their historic campaign last term, winning the Premier League, the Champions League and the FA Cup.
Burnley vs Manchester City
Friday 11 August, 20:00
Turf Moor
Burnley ended pre-season on bad terms after suffering a 3-0 defeat against FSV Mainz but Kompany will not be too disheartened as the game will have given him a better idea of who to select come the first game of the season.
The Clarets have made 10 signings in the summer transfer window (including loans), with the most expensive players added to club being Zeki Amoundi from FC Basel for a fee in the region of €18million – will be expected to feature from the off on Friday night.
Kompany’s side won the Championship with flying colours after losing just three times, proving that the Belgian’s possession-based style of play was far more affective than the long ball approach that Burnley have implemented previously.
Manchester City will be hoping that they can start the campaign how they ended last term, when Pep Guardiola guided them to the most successful season in the clubs history by winning the treble
The reigning champions have opted to bring in Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol this summer, so it will be interesting to see if Guardiola gives them both starts come Friday night against the Clarets.
City have lost key players Riyad Mahrez and Ilkay Gundogan this summer, who play played vital roles in their success last term so Guardiola might be keen to bring in a few more faces to the squad before the transfer window shuts.
Despite Burnley having the home advantage in this one, we predict a comfortable City win and you can get odds of them to win handicap (+2) of 3.20 at Bet9ja. Jack Cork picked up 12 yellow cards last season in 39 Championship games and you can get odds of him to get booked against City at 3.25. Jack Grealish was in superb form last term for City, and you can odds of him to have over 1.5 shots at 1.72.
