Burnley is in its sixth consecutive Premier League season, but they are facing a tough struggle to escape relegation to the Championship. They are now 19th in the table, four points behind 17th-placed Everton after the same amount of games (27).
Sean Dyche’s team sits eight points behind 16th-placed Leeds United, but they have three games in hand on the Whites, so their relegation status is far from certain.
Between February 19 and February 26, the Clarets won seven points in three Premier League games against Brighton & Hove Albion, Tottenham Hotspur, and Crystal Palace, but they have lost their past three league games against Leicester City, Chelsea, and Brentford.
Man City, meanwhile, won the FA Cup 4-1 against Southampton before the international break, with the English champions poised to face Liverpool in the competition’s semi-finals on April 16.
However, the Citizens were held to a goalless draw by Crystal Palace in their most recent league encounter on March 14, and they are currently only one point ahead of second-placed Liverpool with the same amount of games played.
Man City is fighting on three fronts this season, including a Champions League quarter-final against Atletico Madrid, with the opening leg of the tie taking place at the Etihad Stadium next week.
Burnley will be missing Nathan Collins, who was sent off against Brentford, and Ben Mee, who is still ailing, therefore Kevin Long will make his first Premier League game of the season at right back.
Matej Vydra, who has returned to training following an elbow injury, might play, but Erik Pieters (knee) and Johann Berg Gudmundsson (calf) are still out.
There are no surprises in the starting XI for the home side, with Dwight McNeil, Wout Weghorst, and Maxwel Cornet all likely to play offensive roles, while Aaron Lennon is expected to maintain his place in the side.
Man City will be without Ruben Dias and Cole Palmer due to injury, while Benjamin Mendy is still on the bench for the English champions.
Despite being forced to withdraw from the Brazil team due to sickness, Ederson is available, and England’s John Stones and Raheem Sterling have also recovered from their issues while on international duty.
The front three of Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez, and Sterling might start against Burnley, with Jack Grealish perhaps falling to the bench.