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Premier League | Gameweek 36
Apr 28, 2019 at 2.05pm UK
 
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Aguero (63')

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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Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling in action during the EFL Cup final against Chelsea on February 24, 2019
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


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