Sports Mole previews Manchester City's Premier League home game against relegation-threatened Burnley, as the champions go in search of an eighth straight win.

Manchester City will be confident of recording an eighth Premier League win in a row when they welcome Burnley to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

The champions have increased the pressure on leaders Chelsea in the title race with a remarkable run of form inspired by their Champions League progression.

Three first-half goals at The Hawthorns on Boxing Day saw West Bromwich Albion become the latest victims of a rejuvenated City, who are now only three points off top.

Nothing can seemingly stop the Citizens at the moment, even the lack of a recognised striker. In two games without any of Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic, they have scored six goals.

The return of influential playmaker David Silva has proved critical in City retaining their momentum, with he and Yaya Toure contributing four goals between them to get their festive fixtures off to a flying start.

Their upcoming games suggest that Manuel Pellegrini's side can continue in the same fashion for a while yet, with home matches against Sunderland and FA Cup opponents Sheffield Wednesday to follow Burnley's visit.

The Clarets are at the other extreme of football's financial spectrum and thus unsurprisingly at the other end of the table, with a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool 24 hours ago sending them back into the relegation zone.

Nonetheless, Sean Dyche will be content that they are still competing in the top flight, following a 10-game winless run at the start of the season, despite having been without key player Sam Vokes all season.

The Welsh international striker made his long-awaited return from a nine-month injury layoff against the Reds, but is not expected to be rushed back into the starting XI after a serious knee ligament problem.

Ashley Barnes will continue to support Danny Ings in attack in what could be an unchanged Burnley starting XI, although Michael Kightly and Ross Wallace are options should Dyche wish to rotate in midfield.

An Achilles injury keeps Matt Taylor on the sidelines, while Stephen Ward and Michael Duff are also major doubts for the visitors, who have not beaten City in any competition since a top-flight match in 1974.

Pellegrini has Jovetic, who was an unused substitute against the Baggies, fit again and will likely recall him to lead the line, while Pablo Zabaleta should replace Bacary Sagna after his Boxing Day rest.

Vincent Kompany remains with Aguero and Dzeko on the treatment table, so Eliaquim Mangala and Martin Demichelis will be maintained in defence. There could also be run outs for Frank Lampard and Aleksander Kolarov.

The hosts have scored 30 goals and conceded just seven in their last seven meetings with Burnley.

Man City:

Form in Premier League: WWWWWW
Form in all competitions: WWWWWW

Possible starting lineup: Hart; Zabaleta; Demichelis, Mangala, Kolarov; Fernando, Lampard; Nasri, Toure, Silva; Jovetic

Burnley:

Recent form: DDLWLL

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

Sports Mole says: 4-0