Manchester City v Burnley in FA Cup : Match Preview

Man City Square look ahead to the Manchester City match against Burnley in the FA Cup and try to predict the likely starting XI.

The Manchester City fixtures are starting to come thick and fast. Securing passage to the Carabao Cup Final on Tuesday is now followed by an FA Cup 4th round tie against Burnley at the Etihad. This match will quickly be followed by a Premier League game away at Newcastle United on Tuesday evening.

The procession of fixtures is likely to mean Guardiola will choose to shuffle his pack for the Burnley game and will I think try to preserve some of his first choice team to face Newcastle. Some of the returning players who are continuing to search for game minutes may find themselves rested in recognition of the exertions they have made in the Cups so far.

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Sergio Aguero has an excellent record of scoring against Newcastle and I would choose to rest him against Burnley so he can continue his run on Tuesday night. That will Gabriel Jesus will get the opportunity against Burnley to add to his recent goal tally.

I am great believer in consistency of defence where possible so would expect Guardiola to select Danilo as left back, Walker at right back and a defensive pairing of Laporte and Stones. I think Newcastle may prove a sterner physical test so believe Otamendi may be earmarked for that.

Midfield should see Fernandinho start and if we are able to race into a lead I would expect him to be withdrawn by 60 minutes to preserve him for the trials ahead. I would start both the Silvas in the game against Burnley. Up front in attack should allow for Mahrez to be deployed again with Sane unleashed. They would be complimented by the returning Jesus,

Such a line up should be strong enough to deal with Burnley and will allow a number of our players to be rested for Newcastle. If we are able to gain an early lead then there may even be an opportunity for other first team players to come and gain useful minutes.

Burnley are deep in a relegation battle in the Premier League, sitting in 16th place and just 3 points above the drop zone. They play an important league game against Manchester United on Tuesday and a defeat in that match may see them drop into the relegation places. How much the FA Cup will prove a distraction for Sean Dyche and Burnley will be difficult to call. Other than goalkeepers they seem to have a thin squad which has struggled to cope with injury. It may be that Burnley decide to rest players for the League game.

I think such an approach would be a mistake. City are likely to rotate and could well be their for the taking if presented with a robust physical assault from Burnley. I think that it provides Burnley with a useful opportunity to build some momentum which would assist them in their fight to stay in the league. I also consider they would expect to lose to Manchester United so to chase an unlikely win there seems foolhardy.

Consequently I believe we will face a strong Burnley side who are primed to avoid any kind of humiliation and will try their utmost to secure passage to the next round. City may not be at full strength so the stage may well be set for an exciting cup game. Let us hope it is not settled by poor refereeing but by performances on the pitch.

Next. Manchester City Progress to Carabao Cup Final. dark

Man City Square Predicted Starting XI

Goalkeeper

Ederson

Defence

Danilo, Stones, Laporte, Walker

Midfield

Fernandinho, Silva, Bernardo

Attack

Mahrez, Jesus, Sane

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