MX23RW : Friday, November 8 19:12:59| >> :60:705:705:
[monks data]
Manchester City logo
Premier League | Gameweek 30
Jun 22, 2020 at 8pm UK
Etihad Stadium
Burnley logo

Man City
5 - 0
Burnley

Foden (22', 63'), Mahrez (43', 45+3' pen.), Silva (51')
Cancelo (62')
FT(HT: 3-0)

Brownhill (43')

Burnley boss Sean Dyche wary of "fresher" Manchester City

Burnley boss Sean Dyche wary of
© Reuters
City are still reeling from last week's Manchester derby defeat.

Burnley manager Sean Dyche will be wary of a "fresher" Manchester City side if their Premier League fixture goes ahead as planned this weekend despite worries over the coronavirus.

City's clash against Arsenal on Wednesday was postponed as a precautionary measure because Nottingham Forest and Olympiacos owner Evangelos Marinakis, who announced on Tuesday that he had contracted Covid-19, met Gunners staff and players during the February 27 Europa League tie.

Pep Guardiola's side were therefore given a much-welcome breather in their crowded schedule ahead of Saturday afternoon's visit of Burnley, who are unbeaten in seven top-flight matches.

But despite his side's recent good form, Dyche is taking nothing for granted against a City outfit that were beaten by bitter rivals Manchester United last weekend and are seemingly weeks away from relinquishing the league title to Liverpool, who sit 25 points clear at the top of the standings.

Dyche said: "Forgetting about the virus for a second, (the postponement against Arsenal) allows the players to be slightly fresher, it probably allows a bit more scope for whether they were going to make changes or not make them.

"Whatever side Man City put out, they're a strong outfit and we all know that.

"They've had a bit more of an up and down time this season, partly – and not just them – because of the power of Liverpool and the way they've gone about it in the league.

"But they're still a very, very strong squad. Whatever is going on in the world and if that doesn't affect the game and we go ahead then we've got to be prepared for a good outfit, very strong at home."

The coronavirus has been declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation and it is uncertain whether any games will go ahead this weekend.

On the threat of matches being played behind closed doors or being cancelled altogether, Dyche was able to see the bigger picture.

He said: "I know where football is in my life, let alone the grand scheme of life. If this is deemed a worldwide situation then football, all of a sudden, disappears slightly into the distance.

"But currently we can't control it and we certainly control the decisions that are made, we just have to be as professional as we can during this period and go with whatever is decided.

"It's not ideal, of course, but we know that health is more important than anything."

As for whether any of his players had shown any symptoms of the virus, Dyche added: "Not that we know of, everyone's fit and healthy."

ID:392679: cacheID:392679:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4011:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson lifts the Champions League trophy on June 1, 2019
Read Next:
UEFA to discuss suspending Champions League, Europa League
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Bengals
34-35
Ravens
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!