Sports Mole previews the Premier League clash between Manchester City and Burnley at Turf Moor as second and second-from-bottom battle for crucial points.

Second meets second-from-bottom in the Premier League on Saturday evening as Manchester City visit Burnley.

Both teams are in vital need of the points for their respective causes as City pursue Chelsea at the top of the table and the Clarets aim for an unlikely survival campaign.

With the league leaders not in action until Sunday, Manuel Pellegrini's side have the chance to cut the gap to two points with victory at Turf Moor.

This was an opportunity that they passed up a fortnight ago as they lost 2-1 at Liverpool, but they have since bounced back with a 2-0 win over Leicester City.

Wednesday's Champions League last-16 second leg against Barcelona could have a bearing on Pellegrini's team selection, but he will be wary that Burnley nearly caused an upset when they visited Eastlands in December.

Sean Dyche's men came from two goals down to clinch a draw at the Etihad Stadium and were only denied a famous triumph by the crossbar late on.

There have not been too many moments for Burnley to smile about as of late, though. Their 2-0 reverse at Anfield in their last outing was a seventh game without victory - the longest winless run in the division - and left them 19th in the table.

Things do not get any easier for the Clarets either, as they follow their clash with the champions with a trip to Southampton and home games against Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, all of whom have top-four aspirations.

They may need to claim a scalp or two during that sequence to prevent their rivals from going clear. Aston Villa and Sunderland are the teams directly above the drop zone and face off at the Stadium of Light this weekend.

While Matt Taylor is nearing a return from a long-term Achilles problem, Dean Marney and Kevin Long remain injured and therefore Dyche is likely to stick with his trusted starting XI for the fifth game on the bounce.

Norwegian Fredrik Ulvestad joined on a three-year contract this week to cover for Marney in midfield, but is not expected to be named in the squad. Danny Ings, recently linked with City, should shake off a knock to start.

Pellegrini's only changes could be in defence, where the full-backs may be rotated and Vincent Kompany is also hoping for a recall. The captain was dropped for the Leicester game, but could be restored with Barca in mind.

The visitors have Samir Nasri back available, but he might be saved for the Camp Nou showdown as the Citizens attempt to overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit. Wilfried Bony may again get the nod over Edin Dzeko in attack.

Burnley:

Form in Premier League: LDLDLL

Possible starting lineup: Heaton; Trippier, Keane, Shackell, Mee; Kightly, Jones, Arfield, Boyd; Barnes, Ings

Man City:

Form in Premier League: DDWWLW
Form in all competitions: DWWLLW

Possible starting lineup: Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Mangala, Clichy; Silva, Fernando, Toure, Navas; Aguero, Bony

Sports Mole says: 1-2