Saturday 20 October 2018 18:58, UK
Pep Guardiola's Manchester City can set another Premier League record against Burnley at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
The English champions will hold the record for the longest unbeaten run of Premier League games on Saturdays at 3pm if they avoid defeat against Sean Dyche's side, taking their tally to 34 in a row.
City are joint top of the Premier League after playing out a goalless draw at Anfield in their last game before the international break, and would have been two points clear had Riyad Mahrez not missed a late penalty.
Kevin De Bruyne could make his first appearance since the opening day of the season since recovering quicker than expected from a knee injury, and returning to training during the international break.
Guardiola said: "I don't know if he is able to play 90 minutes but he has trained well in the last two weeks without pain. He is ready to be part of the group."
Burnley have finally got their season up and running with a run of seven points from their last three games, but travelling to the Etihad presents another test entirely.
Longer-term, Sean Dyche's job at Turf Moor could get a little easier after the Burnley boss confirmed the club is looking to appoint a technical director to oversee operations - with former Rangers and Nottingham Forest boss Mark Warburton linked with the role this week.
Dyche said: "We're trying to move the club forward on and off the pitch. All of this speaks for it off the pitch in many ways, the structure and everything. On the pitch with signings and stuff like that and adding to the framework of the
inner workings of the club.
"We feel there's a possibility of a role that would fit and that's where it's at at the moment. We're talking about it, myself, the chairman, the board, chief executive, about how that role works at a club like this.
"It won't be a technical director as in one who pulls all the strings. It's more of a conduit so we're all on the same page."
Steven Defour could make his long-awaited return for Burnley against Manchester City on Saturday.
The influential midfielder, who has not made a league appearance since suffering a serious knee injury in January, missed the last match against Huddersfield because of a personal issue but is available again.
James Tarkowski withdrew from England duty because of an ongoing groin niggle but is set to play. Nick Pope (shoulder), Ben Gibson (hernia) and Robbie Brady (hamstring) are all making good progress while Stephen Ward is set to be sidelined for several weeks after undergoing minor knee surgery.
Ilkay Gundogan will miss the visit of the Clarets, and City boss Pep Guardiola confirmed the German midfielder would miss several weeks of first-team action.
But Fabian Delph, who has been missing since mid-September, is fit enough for a return to the squad.
This is a nightmare game for Burnley. For Sean Dyche, it's a game you just want to get out of the way and start again afterwards. If Manchester City turn up hot, the scoreline could make uncomfortable reading for Burnley.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0 (5/1 with Sky Bet)
