Burnley vs Manchester City Premier League preview, team news and prediction

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Manchester City could go top of the Premier League and potentially send Burnley down if they take all three points at Turf Moor on Wednesday night. Pep Guardiola’s side thrashed the Clarets 5-1 in the reverse fixture at the Etihad, with Erling Haaland scoring twice and Maxime Esteve turning the ball into his own net on two occasions.

Four weeks after their EFL Cup final win over Arsenal at Wembley, City tightened their grip on the title race with a dramatic 2-1 victory over the Gunners on Sunday, thanks to goals from Rayan Cherki and Haaland. After full-time, home fans unveiled a banner reading “Panic on the streets of London” — a nod to The Smiths’ 1987 track — in a dig at Arsenal amid a run of four straight domestic defeats. City, meanwhile, have lost just once in their last 20 league games.

City’s April record underlines why they are so dangerous in the run-in: they have not lost a top-flight match in the month since 2021. With momentum firmly on their side, they are aiming to return to the summit for the first time since August 21, 2025.

They head to Lancashire three points behind Arsenal but with a game in hand, and their recent away form has been the best in the division. Since the start of December, City have collected 21 away points, with their only defeat in that stretch coming at Manchester United in January.

History also favours the visitors. City have won 14 of the last 15 Premier League meetings with Burnley, scoring 45 goals and conceding six since a 1-0 defeat at Turf Moor in March 2015. They are also unbeaten in 29 league matches against newly promoted sides since losing at Leeds in April 2021.

Burnley’s decline has been stark. Less than a decade ago they were in the Europa League under Sean Dyche; now they look set for another relegation in their familiar cycle between the top flight and the Championship. Scott Parker’s team were thumped 4-1 at Nottingham Forest on Sunday, surrendering a half-time lead and conceding four times in the final 32 minutes. It was Burnley’s 45th defeat in their last 71 Premier League matches across the last two seasons.

Relegation could be confirmed this week. If 17th-placed West Ham avoid defeat against Crystal Palace on Monday and Burnley then lose to City, the Clarets would be more than 12 points from safety with only 12 left to play for.

Burnley’s form gives them little room for optimism: they have just one win in their last 24 Premier League games and are winless in 12 straight home league matches. An upset would be huge. Burnley have lost their last 11 meetings with City, their longest-ever losing run against a single opponent, while Parker has been beaten in all five of his Premier League clashes with Guardiola’s side, with an aggregate score of 16-1.

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Burnley are missing Josh Cullen and Zeki Amdouni (knee), Hannibal Mejbri and Jordan Beyer (thigh) and Connor Roberts (calf), while Axel Tuanzebe (heel) will be assessed. Scott Parker could switch back to a back five, with Kyle Walker in contention at right wing-back. Zian Flemming is expected to continue in attack, with midfield options including James Ward-Prowse, Florentino Luis and Lesley Ugochukwu.

Man City remain without Josko Gvardiol (tibial fracture) and Ruben Dias (ankle), and Rodri is not expected to be fit after a groin injury. Nico Gonzalez would likely deputise, with Bernardo Silva and Rayan Cherki set to keep their places. Erling Haaland should start again, supported by Jeremy Doku and Antoine Semenyo.

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