Burnley vs Manchester City. Premier League.
Turf MoorAttendance21,794.
Saturday 26 November 2016 12:33, UK
Manchester City will be looking for their ninth win of the season on Saturday against Burnley which would see them go top of the Premier League.
After City sealed qualification to the Champions League knockout stages with a 1-1 draw at Borussia Monchengladbach in midweek, their attention turns back to domestic matters.
Pep Guardiola's side are currently second in the table, just one point off leaders Chelsea, and should City win the lunchtime kick-off, they will go top of the table for at least a few hours.
There could be a place in the starting lineup for Yaya Toure, who returned from his exile against Crystal Palace last weekend and scored both City's goals in their 2-1 win.
Burnley will be looking to bounce back from their uncharacteristic 4-0 defeat to West Brom on Monday Night Football. A win for them could see Sean Dyche's men move into the top half.
Team news
Burnley striker Ashley Barnes is pushing for a first league start since April when Manchester City visit Turf Moor.
Barnes has battled back to fitness after a lengthy lay-off and has impressed in three substitute appearances, putting Sam Vokes at risk up front.
George Boyd's tireless running could also put him in contention for a recall against City but there are no injuries to contend with.
City will assess striker Sergio Aguero ahead of Saturday's lunchtime Premier League clash.
Guardiola says the Argentina forward ended the midweek Champions League clash at Borussia Monchengladbach "not injured, but with a little problem in his foot".
Defender Pablo Zabaleta will also be checked after missing the game in Germany with a knock but captain Vincent Kompany (knee) could be out for up to six weeks. Midfielder Fabian Delph is nearing a return after a groin operation.
Opta stats
Burnley have won just once in their last 11 league matches against City (D5 L5), although it came last time out in the Premier League in March 2015 at Turf Moor (1-0).
City have won eight and lost one of their last 14 contests with Burnley in all competitions (W8 D5 L1), netting 37 goals in the process (2.6 per game).
George Boyd has scored in each of his last two Premier League appearances against Man City - netting in the 2-2 draw at the Etihad in December 2014 and scoring the only goal of the game in March 2015.
Aguero has scored against 28 of the 30 different teams that he's faced in the Premier League, but Burnley are one of the two that he hasn't scored against yet (0 goals, 1 app). Aguero has scored 31 goals in his last 33 Premier League appearances for City.
Burnley have scored the highest proportion of their Premier League goals in home games this season (91% - 10/11).
City have scored the highest tally (15) and proportion (56 per cent) of their goals away from home in the Premier League this season.
Burnley have allowed their opponents 54 more shots on target than they have attempted themselves in the Premier League this season (28 attempted, 82 conceded).
Raheem Sterling has made more touches in the opposition box than any other player in the Premier League this season (104) - Burnley have only made 153 as a team (the third fewest).
City have conceded a league-low two goals from set-piece situations in the Premier League after the opening 12 matchdays of 2016-17.
Merson's prediction
This is another must-win game for City. Burnley were terrible against West Brom. They go to Man United and draw 0-0 and then they go and get beaten 4-0 at West Brom. It was terrible.
I don't see anything but a Man City win. The big boys have to win - draws are no good and I have City to win this one.
PAUL PREDICTS: 0-3 (Sky Bet odds 13/2)
Betting
Manchester City are just 30/100 with Sky Bet as Burnley go up against odds of 17/2 for the win and 9/2 just to secure a draw.
Pep Guardiola's men head into the weekend as 7/4 favourites to win the Premier League while their hosts are marginally odds-against at 11/10 to face relegation.
Sergio Aguero unsurprisingly heads the first goalscorer betting at 5/2 while Andre Gray and Sam Vokes are tied on the Clarets' side of the betting at 10/1 apiece.
Find out what the Soccer Saturday pundits and Jamie Redknapp are predicting here.
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