Burnley vs Man City preview: Everyone feels pressure, says Pep Guardiola

Watch Burnley vs Man City on Sunday, live on Sky Sports Premier League from 2pm; Kick-off is 2.05pm

Image: Burnley host Man City in the Premier League at Turf Moor on Sunday

Pep Guardiola insists "everyone feels the pressure" as Manchester City look to take another step closer to the title away to Burnley on Sunday.

City beat rivals Manchester United 2-0 at Old Trafford on Wednesday to move back to the top of the Premier League table.

Liverpool could leapfrog the champions again with a win on Friday at home to Huddersfield but City boss Guardiola is only concentrating on the Clarets.

Pep Guardiola will know there is ‘no walk in the park’ in the Premier League, according to Burnley boss Sean Dyche

"It is always tough for the way they play," Guardiola said of Burnley. "They do really well what they do.

"It is the end of the season, the last games, everyone feels the pressure to win. We are going to prepare to try to control their strong points."

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Sean Dyche has praised his Burnley side for the way they have approached their battle against relegation.

A draw at Chelsea on Monday means the Clarets can look forward to another season in the top flight - barring a never-seen-before chain of events which would involve three straight defeats, three straight wins for Cardiff and a goal difference swing of 17, plus positive results for Southampton and Brighton.

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Dyche thinks his men have gone about their business the right way, and said: "We've not just fought our way out of trouble, we've scored more goals than most other teams in doing so. The main thing for me has been the consistency in our performances.

"Manchester City are a top side," Dyche added. "We want to take on the game and at least prove that we can challenge with the elite teams.

"The top six are miles ahead, but we are looking forward to it, especially in front of our own fans."

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Team news

Phil Bardsley (leg) is a doubt after missing the past few matches for Burnley, and Peter Crouch is also touch and go with an abdominal injury.

Steven Defour and Aaron Lennon are long-term absentees.

Image: Kevin De Bruyne receives treatment on the pitch after going down injured

Guardiola is unsure if he will be able to call upon Fernandinho for Sunday's trip to Burnley, but confirmed that Kevin De Bruyne was out of the game.

Benjamin Mendy is also a doubt after missing out against Manchester United, while Fabian Delph is ruled out.

Opta stats

  • Burnley are winless in their last seven meetings with Man City in all competitions (D1 L6) since a 1-0 win in March 2015.
  • Man City have beaten Burnley 5-0 twice this season in all competitions. No team has ever scored 5+ goals against another three times in a single season in English Football League history.
  • Excluding teams to have won the Premier League title themselves, Burnley have the best win ratio against reigning Premier League champions than any other side in the competition's history (44 per cent - P9 W4 D1 L4).
  • 17 of Man City's last 22 goals in all competitions against Burnley have come in the second half of matches, including eight of their 10 this season.
  • Burnley are looking to win three consecutive home league games for the first time since a run of five ending in January 2017.
  • Burnley have won just one of their last 15 home Premier League games against 'big six' opponents (W1 D2 L12), though it was their last such match at Turf Moor against Tottenham.
  • Burnley have scored at least once in their last 12 home Premier League games, their longest such run since their first 15 games at Turf Moor in the competition.
  • Man City striker Sergio Aguero has scored eight goals in his last seven meetings with Burnley in all competitions.
  • Burnley's Chris Wood has had a hand in five goals in his last three Premier League games (3 goals, 2 assists), after a run of five games without being involved in any.
  • Ashley Barnes has scored 11 Premier League goals for Burnley this season - no player has ever netted more in a single campaign in the competition for the Clarets.
Image: Kylw Walker in action against Burnley in the FA Cup earlier this season

Paul Merson's prediction

It's definitely a tougher game than Manchester United in midweek for City. I was a bit shocked but I heard yesterday that Burnley have the best win-ratio percentage against any Premier League winner from the previous season.

You can believe it. It's a hard game. Man City like to win the ball high up, they like to press. Burnley take that away, they're getting the ball forward quickly.

They won't mess about at the back. Two centre-forwards will be awkward and work as a pair too. Centre-halves aren't used to coming up against two strikers, a few years ago when Antonio Conte played two up front for Italy against Spain they made them look silly. They didn't have a clue what to do.

Burnley can catch you cold, and it's a hard game, it's definitely not a gimme. It's a difficult match but I expect Man City to come through with a difficult victory.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2

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