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What to Watch For: Burnley Entertain Manchester City at Turf Moor

By Larry Henry

Burnley's Scottish midfielder George Boyd (L) shoots to score the opening goal of the English Premier League football match between Burnley and Manchester City at Turf Moor in Burnley, north west England, on March 14, 2015. AFP PHOTO / OLI SCARFFRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images)
Burnley's Scottish midfielder George Boyd (L) shoots to score the opening goal of the English Premier League football match between Burnley and Manchester City at Turf Moor in Burnley, north west England, on March 14, 2015. AFP PHOTO / OLI SCARFFRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images) /
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Burnley’s English defender Ben Mee (R) vies with Manchester City’s Spanish midfielder Jesus Navas during the English Premier League football match between Burnley and Manchester City at Turf Moor in Burnley, north west England, on March 14, 2015. AFP PHOTO / OLI SCARFFRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images)
Burnley’s English defender Ben Mee (R) vies with Manchester City’s Spanish midfielder Jesus Navas during the English Premier League football match between Burnley and Manchester City at Turf Moor in Burnley, north west England, on March 14, 2015. AFP PHOTO / OLI SCARFFRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images) /

Following a midweek draw in the UEFA Champions League, Manchester City travel to Burnley on Saturday for a EPL showdown at Turf Moor. 

After a 2-1 road win at Crystal Palace a weekend ago, Pep Guardiola‘s side are looking to make it two league wins in a row for the first time since September. The return of Yaya Toure to the City lineup last Saturday, sparked the Citizens to a dramatic win at Selhurst Park.

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Vincent Kompany was injured at Palace and looks to be missing weeks with a knee injury. According to BBC Sport, Sergio Aguero will have a late fitness test with a foot problem, while Pablo Zabaleta is also a doubt tomorrow.

After a dismal 4-0 defeat at West Brom on Monday due to some poor defending, Burnley will return to Turf Moor where they have been a whole different team. The Clarets, who sit 12th with 14 points, have earned 13 of those at home this season.

No new injury concerns for Burnley, but look for Ashley Barnes to possibly start after strong substitute performances. Welsh striker Sam Vokes is the danger man for the Clarets, leading them in goals with four. Steven Defour runs a lot of the offense in the midfield while summer signing Johann Berg Gudmundsson provides service from the wing. Michael Keane and Ben Mee are a physical duo in the back-line that also provide threats on corner-kicks. England international Tom Heaton is a sure-handed keeper that can make big saves when needed.

“We can’t forget [Burnley] beat Liverpool, lost in the 93rd minute against Arsenal, and drew at Old Trafford. What they do, they do really well,” said Guardiola to BBC Sport.

With a tricky road match for the Citizens tomorrow, here are my three things to watch.

1.) Look for Yaya Toure to get some time tomorrow. 
After his league debut last weekend, Yaya Toure deserves some playing time tomorrow. Netting two goals in two different fashions, the midfielder looked like a new man in London a week ago. His services provide more depth to a midfield that is peaking at the right moment which could be a problem. Due to not being in City’s Champions League roster, Toure could find his form of old which would be a huge bonus to this Premier League season.

2.) Burnley should provide a tough test for tired Man City. 
After a draining 1-1 draw at Borussia Monchengladbach on Wednesday, Manchester City will have a tough test in Burnley. Sean Dyche‘s team work hard and have given several top teams trouble this season so far. Burnley defeated Manchester City at Turf Moor back in 2015 behind a George Boyd strike which summed up City’s poor road form. This team under Pep Guardiola need to be a stronger team on the road if they want to be in the Premier League title race.

3.) Wide players NEED to do a better job offensively. 
Players like Raheem Sterling, Nolito, Jesus Navas, etc need to make the most of their time on the pitch. All of these players bring pace to the table but also need to provide goals and assists for the team. For Manchester City to reach their top potential, every player needs to contribute especially in games like tomorrow’s. The attacking prowess needs to be there from these players or they could see themselves reduced starts or appearances from the bench.

Next: Three Key Takeaways: Manchester City Draw 1-1, Advance to UCL Round of 16

My prediction for tomorrow is a 2-0 road win for Manchester City. Burnley will provide a tough examination of the visitors but overall they do not have the quality as a team to hold City from scoring. Goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Yaya Toure will give Pep’s team three road points.