Match Previews

Match Preview: Manchester City vs Burnley

Burnley travel to the Etihad hoping to progress to the fourth round of the FA Cup for the third consecutive year after previous wins against Sunderland and Middlesbrough.

Manchester City, on the other hand, approach the game on the back of a superb run in the Premier League which has seen them earn a 15-point cushion over second-placed Manchester United.

Both sides are likely to rotate their starting eleven as they continue to focus on the Premier League after enjoying relative success this campaign, with the Clarets still in the top seven.

One to Watch: Bernado Silva

 

B Silva
Image courtesy of @BernadoCSilva

 

With Pep Guardiola likely to rotate his squad, it seems inevitable that Bernado Silva will be given a start.

He is a versatile attacking midfielder often used on the right for City, which means he will likely be up against left-back Charlie Taylor as Stephen Ward is still sidelined through injury.

Silva is always a goal threat due to his ability to score from distance and his impressive range of passing often causes problems for the opposition defence.

If Burnley are to have any chance of winning, they must keep Silva quiet for as much of the game as possible, as well as the many other threats the City line-up will pose.

History

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Manchester City have a good record against Burnley, winning 43 of the 97 clashes between the two clubs and only losing 30 times.

And City’s joy over Burnley continued when these sides last met at the Etihad earlier this season, winning 3-0 after goals from Aguero, Otamendi and Sane.

Burnley have enjoyed some success over City in recent years though, earning an away point in a 2-2 draw in December 2014 and winning 1-0 at Turf Moor in the Premier League in March 2015.

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