Manchester City hosts Burnley at the Etihad on Saturday in what promises to be a mismatch of epic proportions. With only seven points after five Premier League games, their lowest tally at this stage since 2006-07, Pep Guardiola’s side desperately needs momentum. Burnley arrive in dire straits, sitting 16th with just four points, only one point above the relegation zone, having failed to win any of their last four games. The contrast is stark: City searching for identity after defensive caution against Arsenal, Burnley fighting for survival against a side that has tormented them for over a decade.
Match Details
- Fixture: Manchester City vs Burnley
- Date: Saturday, September 27, 2025
- Kick-off: 3:00 PM BST
- Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
| Category | Details |
| Head to Head | City have won each of their last 13 meetings by an aggregate of 46-2 |
| Man City Last 5 | W-D-W-L-L |
| Burnley Laast 5 | 5L-D-L-L-W |
| Burnley at Etihad | Winless in last 19 league visits since 1963; lost last seven, conceding 25 goals |
| Notable Streaks | City won 22 of the last 24 PL matches vs promoted teams |
Key Players to Watch
- Phil Foden (City): In sensational form. Guardiola: “He wants to play every day because he’s happy and has the joy to play.”
- Erling Haaland (City): Minor doubt with back issue, but expected to feature. Has scored six of City’s nine PL goals this season.
- Kyle Walker (Burnley): Returns to the Etihad, where he won 18 trophies. Guardiola: “He has been the right-back that defined our time here in the last nine, ten years.”
Tactical Battle
City’s recent Arsenal encounter saw unprecedented caution with just 32.8% possession, Guardiola’s lowest ever. Against Burnley, expect a complete reversal: high pressing and relentless attacking. After 30 Championship clean sheets last season, no PL team have faced more shots (95) or higher xG against (10.5) than Burnley. Parker will deploy a deep five-man defence with Walker at right-back, hoping to frustrate through low-block defending. City’s technical superiority should overwhelm Burnley’s fragile structure.
Predicted Lineups
- Manchester City (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Lewis, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Rodri; Bernardo Silva, Reijnders, Foden; Doku, Haaland
- Burnley (5-3-2): Dubravka; Walker, Laurent, Ekdal, Esteve, Hartman; Tchaouna, Cullen, Ugochukwu; Anthony, Foster
Key Injuries
- Manchester City: Guardiola confirmed: “Ait-Nouri, no. Cherki, no. Khusanov, no. Marmoush, no. And Kova, maybe.” Khusanov (ankle), Marmoush (knee), Cherki (thigh), Ait-Nouri and Kovacic (Achilles) remain sidelined.
- Burnley: Beyer (thigh), Roberts (knee) and Amdouni (knee) are sidelined, while Bruun Larsen is doubtful.
Prediction:
- Manchester City 3-0 Burnley
