Poor Burnley, but someone has to open the season against Manchester City, who will start the defense of their treble on Friday. Burnley is getting the

champs/trophy holders X3 at the wrong time too, given how they’re licking their wounds from the Community Shield shootout loss on Sunday.

This match, the very first of the league season, has a built in story-line via Vincent Kompany. The new Clarets manager welcomes in the club where he’s a legend

among legends. They literally erected a statue of him in Manchester.

 

Season Opener FYIs

Manchester City at Burnley FC

Kickoff: Fri. Aug 11, 8pm Turf Moor

Manchester City Preview Material: Team News   Starting XI Prediction

Transatlantic Passage: How the Premier League Redefined Soccer in America: LINK

Google Result Probability: Man City  74%    Draw  16%   Burnley FC  10%

Series History: Burnley wins: 30 Draws: 25 Man City wins: 55

Odds: Burnley: 13/2, Draw: 7/2, Man City: 1/4

Man City Team News

There is a potential void in defense with Dutchman Nathan Ake a doubt, due to his having missed the Community Shield with a knock. There is however, better

news though, with Kevin de Bruyne, who was finally fit enough to feature in the curtain raiser. He’s now fully recovered from the hamstring injury he suffered in the

Champions League Final in June, and thus, could be in first team contention here.

Look for the debut of Mateo Kovacic in Man City shirt here.

Manchester City Starting XI Prediction at Burnley FC

Ederson; Walker, Dias, Akanji, Cancelo; Rodri, Kovacic; De Bruyne, Grealish, Silva; Haaland.