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Manchester City v Burnley: Match Preview

By David Crook

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JUNE 17: A disinfected match ball is shown during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on June 17, 2020 in Manchester, United Kingdom. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JUNE 17: A disinfected match ball is shown during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on June 17, 2020 in Manchester, United Kingdom. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /
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Manchester City return to action on Monday evening against Burnley in the Premier League hoping for another victory.

As Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has intimated, his team are not yet ready to face the rigours ahead. Playing against Arsenal is one thing but facing Burnley just a matter of days later is another thing entirely.

The regeneration methods used by elite players to recover quickly between games are currently significantly restricted. Ice baths and massages are both banned under Government guidance.

These concerns will be occupying Guardiola in the run up to kick off. How many of the starting XI against Arsenal will be able to feature again?

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Of course the game with Burnley is very different. This will be a strong and physical encounter against a side looking to pack the midfield  and prevent City from scoring.

So there would be a safe bet to place money on the return of Fernandinho, Rodrigo and Otamendi to the side. Others may be selected more on the basis of managing squad fitness with matches coming thick and fast.

But this is Guardiola we are talking about and accordingly there will be some surprises in store for us all. My prediction is that Leroy Sane will return to action in this match, the kind of encounter where his pace may make a difference and a statement to the watching suitors who are intent on low balling City into submission.

Ederson will start in goal and hopefully continue his fine form. Cancelo and Mendy will start as full backs ideally but Zinchenko will come in if Mendy has fitness doubts.

Fernandinho and Otamendi will comprise a central defensive partnership who may require close assistance from Rodrigio in a defensive midfield role.

Midfield should be Phil Foden and either De Bruyne or Bernardo Silva. If Bernardo does not start in midfield he will start on the right hand side of the forward three.

Attack will be Sane on the left, Aguero in the middle and maybe Bernardo or Mahrez.

This will allow an impressive looking bench to rescue a result if required. Come on City!

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