Eastlands is completely sold out for City’s clash with Burnley. The game has an edge to it as City aim to consolidate their top four position
Vital Quotes:
Mark Hughes:
‘Chelsea have lost two games, Manchester United have lost two and Liverpool have lost some games. We have dropped points ourselves, but the pleasing thing is that we are in the top four because we have lost the fewest games.’
VMC City Video Link: Mark Hughes On Burnley
Owen Coyle
‘Mark Hughes is a very talented manager. But after raising expectations the fans will be looking out for honours. We’ll pay them the utmost respect but will concentrate on what we can do.’
Stephen Jordan
‘I have some good memories of my time at City as I was a fan. I was only eight when I joined the club. I will have some family and friends there on Saturday, so it should be a bit of a special day.’
Manchester CITY Team News:
Nedum Onuoha and David Ball remain our main long term casualties outside of Robinho who is on his way back in light training.
City skipper Kolo Toure and joint leading scorer Emmanuel Adebayor should be back in the mix after frustrating niggling injuries.
Meanwhile, as is the way after a long term lay off, Roque Santa Cruz has started picking up other injuries. His ankle has taken a knock so he’s likely to be out of the equation.
The biggest disappointment will be if Wayne Bridge fails to overcome a knee injury. He has been outstanding this season. But the classy Sylvinho is a more than able replacement if called upon.
Player to watch: Emmanuel Adebayor
The majority of hacks keep looking for chinks in City’s siege mentality in the absence of any defeats to crow about. The latest is that Adebayor has gone off the boil. Well, he’s hardly had much stance to stay on the boil has he in recent weeks. Expect the big fella to start banging goals in again imminently.
Burnley Team News:
Much focus today in the packed stadium will be upon returning MCFC Academy graduates Tyrone Mears and Stephen Jordan. Popular lads who we are pretty sure at VMC won’t get stupidly booed.
Rodriguez, Paterson and McCann are all out for The Clarets, and Jordan looks to have shaken off a thigh knock.
Player to watch: Steven Fletcher
The Scottish striker is starting to find his feet in The Premier League and already has 5 goals in all competitions this season.
Prolific in his time at Hibernian, he won’t need too many second chances if opportunities come his way.
Match Facts & Stats
This is Burnley’s first visit to The City Of Manchester Stadium.
Burnley have the worst Premier League away record to date. They have shipped 17 goals across 5 defeats.
Glass half full or half empty stat:
City have been beaten only once all season, drawn their last 4 games but won only 1 game in their last 6.
The last time City and Burnley met in the top division was incredibly in 1976. Great to see their name back at the top table.
Our last league meeting was 8 years ago when Paulo Wanchope with the longest legs in history smashed a hat-trick in a 5-1 win.
VMC Link: VMC Forum Live Match Thread v Burnley
Ref Watch:
Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire)
Attwell’s had a quietish start to the season across three different leagues. He reffed City’s League Cup boreathon at home to Fulham in September. He’s reknowned for letting the game flow.
Current season record:
Games:8, Yellow Cards:21, Red Cards:2
Last season record:
Games:30, Yellow Cards:94, Red Cards:8
Match Prediction:
Respect to Burnley, but City’s fans are packing out Eastlands in anticipation of a pasting and The Blues must surely deliver one. The Clarets have been brutal on the road this season and the likes of Tevez and Adebayor have an opportunity here to bag a few goals. If City strike early, we could be looking at a big score. Johnny On The Spot: CITY 4 Burnley 0
Next Fixtures:
A: Liverpool, Sat 21 Nov 1245 GMT
H: Hull City, Sat 28 Nov 1500 GMT