The fixture gods have presented Burnley with an imposing challenge as they make their return to the Premier League (PL), with none other than the treble-winning powerhouse, Manchester City🏆, awaiting them in the first match. Adding to the intrigue, Burnley is led by former City legend Vincent Kompany. However, the memory of last season’s 6-0 FA Cup thrashing at the hands of his former club serves as a reminder that sentiment won’t factor into City’s pursuit of victory.
The historical pattern between Burnley and City has been one of dominance, with Burnley losing the last 11 head-to-head encounters by a staggering aggregate score of 40-1. Despite this daunting record, the opening day of the season is always a beacon of hope, and Burnley, boosted by a flurry of summer signings, will be banking on a spirited home crowd at Turf Moor to upset the reigning champions, as they did in the 2017/18 season when they overcame then-title holders Chelsea 3-2 at Stamford Bridge.
Interestingly, Chelsea has clinched the PL title in each of Burnley’s three PL seasons immediately following promotion. However, City’s quest for an unprecedented fourth-successive PL crown will likely stand in the way of such a scenario. The history-making opportunity to secure four PL titles in a row presents itself to City, and their strong start in the past, winning 11 of the last 12 opening day fixtures, bodes well for their ambitions (with just one loss).
However, City will come to East Lancashire on the back of a recent setback, as they fell to defeat in the Community Shield against Arsenal at Wembley. With a desire to respond promptly, Pep Guardiola’s focus remains on improving his team’s performance, even in the wake of their treble-winning season. City’s away form at the end of the previous season wasn’t flawless, as they remained winless in their final two away PL matches (drawing one and losing one), a record they hope to rectify and avoid a repeat of the slump they faced in 2020.
In the spotlight, Burnley’s goal-scoring challenge against City is notable, with no player managing to net against City since Robbie Brady in December 2019. However, JĂłhann Berg GuĂ°mundsson has the distinction of equalizing in a previous encounter, but he has been known for opening the scoring in his last four goal-scoring appearances for Burnley. City, on the other hand, has had a wealth of players contributing goals in their head-to-head battles over the years, with Erling Haaland particularly noteworthy, having bagged a hat-trick in last season’s FA Cup clash.
An intriguing statistic from City’s previous season is that all three of their away league matches against newly-promoted teams witnessed goals from both sides. This could provide an interesting subplot as they visit Burnley, who will be keen to capitalize on any defensive vulnerabilities City might display.
As the curtain rises on another PL season, the Burnley vs Manchester City match promises drama, passion, and a clash of contrasting ambitions. The outcome remains uncertain, but the stage is set for a thrilling encounter that will captivate football fans around the world.
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