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How Manchester City could line up against Burnley

Sports Mole looks at how Manchester City could line up for Sunday's Premier League clash with Burnley at Turf Moor as they aim to move one step closer to the title.

Manchester City need just three more wins to successfully defend the Premier League title, and the first of those matches comes away to Burnley on Sunday afternoon.

The midweek derby win over Manchester United was seen by many as City's last major hurdle to overcome, but Pep Guardiola's side cannot afford to let up yet and know that anything other than all three points at Turf Moor could hand the advantage back to Liverpool.

Indeed, Man City could still start Sunday's match second in the table should Liverpool avoid a major upset at home to Huddersfield Town on Friday night, despite the champions having won their last 11 league games.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how Guardiola could set his team out as they look to make it 12 in a row.



Possible MNC XI vs. BUR

Out: Claudio Bravo (Achilles), Kevin De Bruyne (hamstring)
Doubtful: Fernandinho (knee), Ilkay Gundogan (leg)

> Click here for Man City's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match

With Kevin De Bruyne already sidelined, Man City picked up two more midfield injury concerns during the derby when both Fernandinho and Ilkay Gundogan came off with knocks.

Guardiola has not taken any risks with Fernandinho in recent weeks and is unlikely to do so this weekend as the Brazilian struggles with a knee problem, but Gundogan's "kick on his leg" is less serious and Fernandinho's expected absence increases the importance of the German playing.

Fernandinho's withdrawal at Old Trafford actually set the wheels in motion for Man City to go on and win the game, and Bernardo Silva could start in the deeper midfield position from which he scored in midweek.

Leroy Sane was the man to replace Fernandinho and may have earned a starting role with his goal, particularly considering Bernardo dropping back would free up a place in the front three alongside Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling.

Opportunities to rest players are difficult at this stage of the season, when every game is a must-win one, but Guardiola may opt to give Kyle Walker the day off in place of Danilo.

Guardiola could also consider starting Nicolas Otamendi to counteract Burnley's physical attacking presence, although John Stones will be hopeful of earning a recall alongside Aymeric Laporte too.

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Who will win Sunday's Premier League clash between Burnley and Man City?

Burnley
Draw
Man City
Burnley
25.0%
Draw
19.1%
Man City
55.9%
Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling in action during the EFL Cup final against Chelsea on February 24, 2019
Read Next:
Combined XI: Man Utd vs. Man City
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City36302490226892
2Liverpool36287184206491
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs362311265362970
4Chelsea36208860392168
5Arsenal362061069492066
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd36198964511365
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves36159124644254
8Leicester CityLeicester36156155147451
9Everton36148145044650
10Watford36148145152-150
11West Ham UnitedWest Ham36137164554-946
12Crystal Palace36127174348-543
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle36119163645-942
14Bournemouth36126185265-1342
15Burnley36117184463-1940
16Southampton36911164461-1738
17Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton3698193355-2235
18Cardiff CityCardiff3694233066-3631
RFulham3675243476-4226
RHuddersfield TownHuddersfield3635282074-5414

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