Defending the lead and a series of ten consecutive wins, Manchester City hosts this Saturday, October 21, Burnley in clash that is part of the schedule of the ninth round of the Premier League season 2017/2018. At Ethirad Stadium in Manchester, the match is scheduled to start at 12 noon (Brasília time).
The recent performance of Manchester City
The number ten win was reached on Tuesday, October 17th. At home, City defeated Napoli 2-1 in the third round of the UEFA Champions League group stage. With 100% use, the team needs just one more victory in the remaining games to reach the standings without depending on any other result.
The situation of the blues is good also in the Premier League. In the eighth round, the team took the lead by scoring, also at Ethirad Stadium, Stoke, by 7 to 2. With that, it achieved 22 points (seven wins and a draw) opening two against Manchester United, in the goalless draw with Liverpool. Still presents the best attack of the tournament with 29 goals scored, average more than 3.5 tents per game.
Good news for City fans does not stop there. Against Napoli, Argentine striker Sergio Aguero (six matches in the English Championship 2017/2018, six goals), did warm up to enter the game giving signs that he is fully recovered from the injury in the ribs suffered in an auto accident that moved him away from the lawns for approximately two weeks. Coach Pepe Guardiola, however, changed his mind and left on the bench, just as he did against Stoke.
The attitude was taken in the circumstances of the match, in which City was in advantage of two goals, suffered the goal and started to take pressure from Napoli. Against Burnley, the top scorer must have the chance to play. Probably not as holder, but should be used in the second step. Defenders Vincent Kompany (three games, no goal) and Benjamin Mendy (four games, no goal) are out of action who are injured.
The current form of Burnley
Burnley opened their participation in the current edition of the English Championship in style. Defeated Chelsea at Stamford Bridge 3-2. It was not the only headache that caused favorites. Also as a visitor, he drew 1-1 with Liverpool and Tottenham, 1 to 1, and beat Everton 1-0.
He has not been defeated for eight games. They were three wins and five draws in a list that features Premier League games and also the League Cup of England. One of the same, however, tasted bitter. After a 2-2 draw with Leeds in the League Cup, Burnley were eliminated by losing the penalty shootout at home.
The team has been more dangerous acting away from their domains than in their stadium. As principal, he added five points from the 12 played. Already in the four matches as a visitor accumulated eight points.
Having the worst part of the table in the early rounds – at least in theory – Burnley can even think of picking up bigger flights in the season and fighting for a spot in continental tournaments. Before the start of day nine, the club, with 13 points (three wins, four draws and a loss), ranked seventh. It had, however, the same score of Chelsea, which closes the region of the classified for European competitions in the fifth place. Only disadvantage in the tiebreaker criteria.
To try to add at least one more point and stay close to the elite squad of the standings, coach Sean Dyche can have as many as three casualties for the match. Tom Heaton (four Premier League season 2017/2018 appearances) and strikers Jonathan Walters (two performances without a goal) and Nahki Wells (without performances) are in the medical department and are reevaluated. ).
History of the clashes between Manchester City and Burnley
There were eight duels involving City and Burnley throughout history. The Manchester Blues won five times, there were two draws and just one Burnley success.
PREDICTION: Manchester City @ 1.083
