Manchester City [1.17] v Burnley [22.0]; The Draw [9.2]
Saturday 14 March, 15:00
Coronavirus thins City’s fixture list
Manchester City have had more time than they thought they would to tend their wounds after losing their derby game against Manchester United last weekend.
Pep Guardiola’s side were supposed to be in action in midweek against Arsenal, but the coronavirus saw the match postponed. With Manchester City’s match with Real Madrid in the Champions League that was due to take place next week having been postponed, what looked like a hectic schedule has thinned out.
The coronavirus and the impact upon the football calendar adds an interesting subplot to Manchester City’s saga with UEFA. City’s best hope of playing in next season’s Champions League was for the appeal process to take place after the domestic season had ended, so their potential ban had to be postponed. With the possibility of the Premier League season being extended, the odds of City gracing the 2020-21 Champions League are reduced.
Back in the present, Kevin De Bruyne was tipped to make a return from injuries before the match with Real Madrid. As the Madrid game is off for now, there is perhaps less of a rush to get De Bruyne back to fitness. Definitely out are Aymeric Laporte and Leroy Sane.
Burnley could qualify for Europe
Should Manchester City be banned from playing in next season’s Champions League, it could have an unexpectedly positive impact upon Burnley.
The Clarets are only six points away from fifth placed Manchester United, with that position possibly providing a Champions League qualification spot if City are excluded. More realistically, any ban could see the team that finishes as low as eighth in the Premier League, qualify for the Europa League.
Spurs are currently in that position and are only two points ahead of Burnley, with the sides drawing 1-1 at Turf Moor last weekend. That result extended Burnley’s unbeaten run in the Premier League to seven matches (W4 D3).
Burnley are getting results at a time when they have a number of injury problems. Ben Gibson, Matthew Lowton, Johann Berg Gudmundsson, Jay Rodriguez and Ashley Barnes are all out.
City so short that options are lacking
Manchester City are the [1.17] favourites, with the draw at [9.4] and Burnley at [23.0].
That seems a short price for an erratic City side hosting a Burnley team in good form. The only realistic options to back a home win seem to be a Manchester City victory and over 3.5 goals at [2.2], or a City win and both teams to score at [2.8].
Burnley can score against defence lacking key performer
Over 3.5 goals is [2.1] as a standalone bet, with both teams to score at [2.2].
Manchester City’s defence looked more secure for the brief period that Laporte was fit, but the French centre-back was soon back on the sidelines. In the four matches that City have played since Laporte’s latest injury, they have conceded three times, with their one clean sheet coming against Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup.
Aguero always scores against Clarets
Sergio Aguero has a fantastic record when facing Burnley. He’s scored nine goals in as many appearances against Sean Dyche’s side.
This includes all five of City’s home games against Burnley. There are no guarantees when it comes to Guardiola’s team selection, so back Aguero to score the first goal at [3.6] and if he’s not on the pitch at the time of the opener, your bet will be made void.
Source: BetFair Tips
