Burnley v Manchester City Tips: Champions can make flying start at Turf Moor

The 2023/24 Premier League season gets under way on Friday night, as Manchester City begin the defence of their crown against Burnley.

City still the team to beat

Pep Guardiola’s side suffered defeat in the Community Shield last time out. Arsenal equalised in the 11th minute of second-half stoppage time through Leandro Trossard, whose hopeful strike took a heavy deflection and left Stefan Ortega stranded. The Gunners went on to triumph 4-1 in the penalty shoot-out.

It is never a good idea to read too much into the Community Shield, however. City won a Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup treble last season, yet they were soundly beaten 3-1 by Liverpool in the traditional curtain-raiser.

The defending champions remain the team to beat this term, and anyone who finishes above them will surely win the title. City may have lost Riyad Mahrez and Ilkay Gundogan, two important players down the years, but Mateo Kovacic is a solid arrival in midfield and there is great excitement about the talented young centre-back Josko Gvardiol.

With Erling Haaland supported by the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Julian Alvarez, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish, it is easy to be mesmerised by City’s attack. But their defence will be just as important to their chances of success this season.

No team conceded fewer goals than City last term and it would not be a surprise if that was the case again in 2023/24. Burnley will certainly find it difficult to prise open a backline marshalled by Ruben Dias and protected by midfield duo John Stones and Rodri.

Clarets in for tough start

This represents a tricky start to Burnley’s return to the top table, but many fancy their chances of keeping their heads above water this season. At 5.7 the Clarets are only the eighth-favourites for the drop ahead of the big kick-off.

Manager Vincent Kompany led Burnley to promotion in impressive fashion, amassing 101 points and finishing 10 clear of Sheffield United in second. But this will be a big step up. In the fifth round of the FA Cup in March, City crushed Burnley 6-0.

That match was at the Etihad Stadium and Kompany’s charges will no doubt be tougher to break down in front of their own fans at Turf Moor. But City should still prove too strong for a Burnley side that may require some time to adjust to the Premier League.

Another 6-0 is unlikely but we still expect this to be a reasonably comfortable start to the campaign for the champions. An away win and a clean sheet is the way to go on Friday night.

Recommended bet

Manchester City to win to nil at 2.14