Burnley vs Manchester City Prediction: Manchester City will beat Burnley 3-0 at Turf Moor on 22 April 2026, as Pep Guardiola’s in-form side exploit Burnley’s weak defence to push their Premier League title challenge forward.
Manchester City travel to Turf Moor on Wednesday night with a real chance to climb to the top of the Premier League table. A win would also mathematically relegate Burnley, provided West Ham avoid defeat against Crystal Palace on Monday. Pep Guardiola’s side arrive in form, while Scott Parker’s Clarets are clinging to survival hopes that look increasingly faint.
Key Facts
- Burnley vs Manchester City kicks off at Turf Moor on 22 April 2026, 8:00 PM BST (23 April, 12:30 AM IST).
- The match is Premier League Matchweek 34 of the 2025/26 season.
- Manchester City sit 2nd with 67 points, three points behind Arsenal with a game in hand.
- Burnley sit 19th with 20 points and face relegation confirmation with a loss.
- Erling Haaland has scored seven goals in four career appearances against Burnley.
- Manchester City have won 14 of their last 15 Premier League meetings with Burnley.
- The match airs live on Sky Sports Main Event (UK), USA Network (US), Stan Sport (Australia), and JioHotstar (India).
Match Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Fixture | Burnley vs Manchester City |
| Competition | Premier League, Matchweek 34 |
| Date | 22 April 2026 |
| Kickoff | 8:00 PM BST / 3:00 PM ET / 12:30 AM IST (23 April) |
| Venue | Turf Moor, Burnley |
| Manager (Home) | Scott Parker |
| Manager (Away) | Pep Guardiola |
| Reverse Fixture Score | Manchester City 5–1 Burnley |
| Referee Coverage | Sky Sports, NBC, Stan Sport, JioHotstar |
On This Page
Burnley vs Manchester City Preview
Manchester City visit Turf Moor looking to capitalise on their 2-1 win over Arsenal at the Etihad last Sunday, a result that tightened the title race dramatically.
Goals from Rayan Cherki and Erling Haaland cut the gap to three points, and City still hold a game in hand. Burnley, by contrast, lost 4-1 at Nottingham Forest after leading at half-time, their 45th defeat in the last 71 Premier League games across two seasons.
The stakes are clear. City want first place. Burnley want to delay the drop. Parker’s side are winless in their last 12 home league matches, the second-longest such run in the club’s top-flight history.
Team News and Injuries
Burnley injury list
Parker is without five confirmed absentees: Josh Cullen and Zeki Amdouni (both knee), Hannibal Mejbri and Jordan Beyer (both thigh), and Connor Roberts (calf). Axel Tuanzebe faces a late fitness test on a heel problem.
Manchester City injury list
Josko Gvardiol remains sidelined with a tibial fracture. Ruben Dias (ankle) and Rodri (groin) are both doubts, with Rodri’s injury sustained late in the Arsenal match.
Losing Rodri would be significant, as Nico Gonzalez would likely deputise in the holding role.
Key injuries that could shift the game
Rodri’s absence matters most. He anchors City’s build-up and breaks up transitions, and Burnley’s best chance involves quick counter-attacks through Zian Flemming and Jaidon Anthony.
Without him, Gonzalez offers mobility but less positional control. For Burnley, the loss of Cullen removes their most disciplined midfield presence against a team that averages 65% possession away from home.
Lineups and Formations
Burnley (5-3-2): Dubravka; Walker, Ekdal, Laurent, Esteve, Hartman; Florentino, Ugochukwu, Ward-Prowse; Anthony, Flemming.
Parker is expected to revert to a back five, with Kyle Walker facing his former club at right wing-back. The three-man midfield of Florentino, Ugochukwu, and Ward-Prowse prioritises physicality over creativity.
Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, O’Reilly; Gonzalez, Bernardo; Semenyo, Cherki, Doku; Haaland.
Guardiola’s likely shape leans on Bernardo Silva and Rayan Cherki to control central areas, with Jeremy Doku and Antoine Semenyo providing width. Haaland leads the line.
Tactical Analysis
Parker’s five-at-the-back approach reflects realism. Burnley have conceded 67 goals in 33 matches, the second-worst defensive record in the division.
Packing the central areas forces City wide, where Burnley can double up on Doku and Semenyo.
The risk lies in transition — City’s front four are devastating when opponents commit numbers forward.
Guardiola will look to exploit half-spaces with Cherki drifting between Burnley’s midfield and defence.
Cherki’s performance against Arsenal showed his ability to find pockets between lines. Expect City to dominate possession above 70% and generate chances through patient build-up rather than direct play.
Head-to-Head and Historical Context
Manchester City have won 11 consecutive matches against Burnley across all competitions, their longest winning run against any opponent in club history.
Across the last 15 Premier League encounters, City have scored 45 goals and conceded only six. The last Burnley victory came in March 2015, a 1-0 home win.
The reverse fixture in September 2025 ended 5-1 to City at the Etihad, with Haaland scoring twice and Maxime Esteve conceding two own goals.
City have not lost a Premier League match in April since 2021, winning 30 and drawing three across 33 April fixtures.
Player Impact Metrics and Key Players to Watch
Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland enters with a scoring rate of one goal every 36 minutes against Burnley. His aerial threat against Esteve and Ekdal will be decisive, particularly from crosses generated by Doku’s cut-backs.
Rayan Cherki
Rayan Cherki has become City’s creative heartbeat since February. His vision and late runs into the box earned him a goal against Arsenal, and Burnley’s compact midfield may struggle to track him.
Zian Flemming
Zian Flemming is Burnley’s brightest attacking option, with nine league goals this season. If the Clarets are to produce a shock, his finishing on rare chances will matter.
Kyle Walker
Kyle Walker returning to face City adds a narrative element. His pace could help Burnley defend transitions, though his attacking contribution is limited at this stage of his career.
Premier League Standings
| Pos | Team | MP | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arsenal | 33 | 21 | 7 | 5 | +37 | 70 |
| 2 | Manchester City | 32 | 20 | 7 | 5 | +36 | 67 |
| 3 | Manchester United | 33 | 16 | 10 | 7 | +13 | 58 |
| 19 | Burnley | 33 | 4 | 8 | 21 | -33 | 20 |
| 20 | Wolverhampton | 33 | 3 | 8 | 22 | -37 | 17 |
Where to Watch?
- United Kingdom & Ireland: Sky Sports Main Event, NOW, Sky Go
- United States: USA Network, UNIVERSO, SiriusXM FC
- Canada: DAZN Canada, fuboTV Canada
- Australia: Stan Sport
- Germany: Sky Sport Premier League, WOW
- France: Canal+ Foot, myCANAL
- India: JioHotstar
Burnley vs Manchester City Prediction
Based on form, squad quality, and tactical fit, Manchester City should win comfortably. Burnley’s defensive fragility against elite attacks, combined with City’s attacking sharpness, points to a one-sided contest.
A 0-3 scoreline in favour of City matches the pattern seen across recent meetings and reflects the gulf between the two sides at this stage of the season.
Latest News
City captain Bernardo Silva confirmed in post-match interviews that the squad views the title race as “wide open again.” Parker, meanwhile, has publicly urged his players to fight until mathematical certainty arrives.
Guardiola is expected to rotate minimally given the title implications, with Rodri’s fitness the only major selection concern heading into kickoff.
Also Read Bournemouth vs Leeds United Prediction.
FAQs
Where To Watch Burnley vs Manchester City Live?
Fans can watch Burnley vs Manchester City live on Sky Sports Main Event in the UK, USA Network in the United States, Stan Sport in Australia, DAZN in Canada, and JioHotstar in India on 22 April 2026.
Who Will Win Burnley vs Manchester City Match?
Manchester City will win the match against Burnley at Turf Moor, based on their superior form, 11-game winning streak against the Clarets, and Burnley’s struggling defence that has conceded 67 goals this season.
What is Burnley vs Manchester City Match Kick-Off Time?
Burnley vs Manchester City kicks off at 8:00 PM BST on 22 April 2026, which equals 3:00 PM ET in the United States and 12:30 AM IST on 23 April in India, at Turf Moor.
Are There Any Injuries in Burnley vs Manchester City Match?
Burnley miss five players including Josh Cullen, Zeki Amdouni, Hannibal Mejbri, Jordan Beyer, and Connor Roberts, while Manchester City are without Josko Gvardiol and face doubts over Ruben Dias and Rodri ahead of kickoff.
What Is The Correct Score Prediction For Burnley vs Manchester City Match?
Manchester City will beat Burnley 3-0 at Turf Moor, with Erling Haaland expected to score against a defence that conceded five goals in the reverse fixture earlier this season.
Manchester City Standing with Points?
Manchester City sit 2nd in the Premier League with 67 points from 32 matches, recording 20 wins, 7 draws, and 5 losses with a goal difference of +36, trailing leaders Arsenal by three points with a game in hand.
Burnley Standing With Points?
Burnley sit 19th in the Premier League with 20 points from 33 matches, posting 4 wins, 8 draws, and 21 losses with a goal difference of -33, placing them deep in the relegation zone.