Croatian midfielder has not played since Achilles surgery in June
Manchester City vs Burnley
Competition: F.A. Premier League
Date: 3.00pm, Saturday 27th September 2025
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Referee: Robert Jones Assistants: N Davies, N Greenhalgh Fourth Official: A Taylor VAR: P Howard
Odds: City 1/6, Draw 6/1, Burnley 14/1
Tickets: Sold out
TV: Match of the Day
Manchester City
Manager: Pep Guardiola
Squad (from): Donnarumma, Trafford, Ortega, Bettinelli, Dias, Stones, Ake, Gvardiol, Lewis, Reijnders, Kovacic, Gonzalez, Rodri, Silva, Nunes, O'Reilly, Phillips, Foden, Bobb, Haaland, Doku, Savinho
Injured: Khusanov, Cherki, Ait-Nouri, Marmoush
Doubtful: Kovacic
Suspended: None
Form guide: WDWWL
Burnley
Manager: Scott Parker
Squad (from): Dubravka, Weiss, Hladky, Walker, Hartman, Worrall, Esteve, Tuanzebe, Humphreys, Ekdal, Sonne, Pires, Delcroix, Ugochukwu, Florentino, Flemming, Cullen, Mjebri, Laurent, Larsen, Foster, Edwards, Anthony, Tchaouna, Broja, Tresor, Banel, Barnes, Agyei
Injured: Beyer, Roberts, Amdouni
Doubtful: Larsen
Suspended: None
Form guide: LDLLW
Aleksandar Khusanov misses out after picking up an injury against Arsenal last weekend, whilst Omar Marmoush, Rayan Cherki, and Rayan Ait-Nouri also remain absent. Mateo Kovacic, however, could be involved for the first time this season following surgery over the summer.
“Kova maybe [available],” Pep Guardiola said at Friday's press conference.
“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.”
Burnley currently lie in 16th place with jut our points, but Guardiola said he was anticipating a difficult challenge.
“Different game - most Championship squads [coming up] do an unbelievable job.
“The Premier League is tough every game. We have a good vibe and hope we can continue.”
City won their last home game against Burnley 3-0, with Julian Alvarez (2) and Rodri netting for the Blues. Overall City have won 57 of the 112 games played against the Clarets, with 25 draws and 30 defeats.
Predicted line-up: Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias,Gvardiol, O'Reilly, Rodri, Silva, Rjeinders, Foden, Doku, Haaland
Score prediction: City 3 Burnley 0