Man City Starting XI vs Burnley: Confirmed Team News and Predicted Lineup | OneFootball

Haaland Ready as Manchester City Prepare for Burnley

Pep Guardiola delivered the update Manchester City supporters wanted, confirming that Erling Haaland is available to face Burnley at the Etihad Stadium. The striker, who has been troubled by a back injury, missed the midweek Carabao Cup win over Huddersfield but has returned to full training. “He’s ready,” Guardiola said when asked for an update on the Norwegian international at his pre-match press conference.

Boost from Kovacic Return

City have also been lifted by the progress of Mateo Kovacic, who has not featured this season following Achilles surgery. Guardiola was cautiously optimistic about his involvement, saying, “Kova maybe [available]. [It would help] a lot to have Kova back. It’s a long injury, surgery, but he is getting ready. He is not fully ready but step-by-step.”

Injury Concerns Continue

Despite the positive news, Manchester City remain without several important players. Summer signing Rayan Cherki is sidelined for up to eight weeks with a thigh problem, while Omar Marmoush is still recovering from a knee issue picked up on international duty with Egypt. Rayan Ait-Nouri is nursing an ankle complaint and Abdukodir Khusanov is also out, having suffered an injury against Arsenal at the Emirates.

Predicted Line-Up vs Burnley

Guardiola has options to consider at right-back, with Matheus Nunes and Rico Lewis both candidates to cover for Khusanov. Nunes completed 90 minutes in the Carabao Cup, which could see Lewis handed the role against Burnley. The predicted Manchester City starting XI is: Donnarumma, Lewis, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Rodri, Foden, Silva, Reijnders, Doku, Haaland.

Manchester City will be confident of extending their strong start to the campaign in front of their home crowd. Burnley, newly promoted under Scott Parker, will test their resilience, but Guardiola’s squad depth remains a decisive factor. Kick-off is scheduled for 3pm BST on Saturday 27 September at the Etihad Stadium.