Another weekend of Premier League action will soon be upon us here in the Transfer Tavern and what a season we have in store looking at the table right now.
The league has well and truly taken shape by this point so it’s pretty easy to conclude who’s going to be challenging for the title, and who is going to be fighting the drop come the end of this campaign.
Certainly, Manchester City under Pep Guardiola are going to be hard to beat this year and are right in the mix for the title at the moment.
After a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace they moved within a point of table toppers Chelsea and went level on points with Liverpool in an ever-tightening battle at the summit.
This weekend they face Burnley who have been impressive at Turf Moor, at least, and that is where the game is going to be played this weekend.
Guardiola knows, then, that he’ll still have to field a strong side to take the crucial three points here and our landlord thinks this XI will do the business…
GK: Claudio Bravo
Bravo always has a mistake in him but Guardiola will persist with the man he so wanted in the summer.
The Chilean needs to start proving himself, though, because many City fans remain very unconvinced by him.
RB: Pablo Zabaleta
He’s not the player he was but is still a reliable enough defender for City.
Whilst his pace is gone his defensive capabilities are still there and so he should have a decent day at the office against Burnley.
CB: John Stones
Fast becoming City’s main defender though the little mistakes are still there to be found.
The young Englishman is beginning to benefit from Guardiola’s tutelage whilst a lack of Vincent Kompany has forced responsibility on to him.
CB: Nicolas Otamendi
Vincent Kompany is out again so Otamendi should come in to replace him at the back.
The Argentine can get outfoxed when he gets wound up and so he needs to keep his cool at Turf Moor this weekend.
LB: Gael Clichy
For our landlord Clichy should always start ahead of Kolarov and that is what he expects Guardiola to do here.
The Frenchman is a better defender and a more threatening player going forward so it’s a bit of a no-brainer.
CDM: Ilkay Gundogan
Gundogan is a class footballer and will get a real taste of what the Premier League is about against Burnley.
The German will realise, if he hasn’t already, that every game in this division is going to be a physical battle and a fight.
RAM: Raheem Sterling
He’s not at the heights of earlier this season but Sterling is still looking like a threat and that will please City’s supporters.
He’ll want to grab a goal to get himself back in the spotlight but Guardiola will just want another strong display from him.
CAM: David Silva
What a player David Silva is – He’s always going to be playing when fit.
The Spaniard has all the tricks in the box to unlock stubborn defences and will be City’s master craftsman once again against the Clarets.
CAM: Kevin De Bruyne
The same can be said of De Bruyne and both will need to be on form to break down a likely defensive Clarets side.
The Belgian has shown himself to be world class this season and will want to kick on from this moment.
LAM: Nolito
The Spaniard has done a decent enough job so far this season and should start once again for City here.
He’s always going to work his socks off and against Burnley he’ll have to be at his most willing to get in behind a sturdy back line.
ST: Sergio Aguero
What can you say about this man that hasn’t been said already? He’s the first name on the team-sheet and absolutely world class.
It’s a real pleasure and a joy to watch every time he’s on the pitch and we should be expecting goals from him.
Agree City fans? Let us know below…
