PREVIEW: Manchester City look to go top as they travel to almost relegated Burnley

When the final whistle blew at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon, the stark contrast in emotions was palpable. Pep Guardiola’s side had all but bridged the once 12-point gap between them and league leaders Arsenal. They knew that a win over Burnley on Wednesday night would put them above Arsenal in the table.

Goals from Ryan Cherki and Erling Haaland showed City’s ability to win in the big moments and hold their nerve under pressure, something that Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have been relentlessly mocked for failing to do.

City haven’t lost a league game since the middle of January and have only dropped points three times since their defeat to Manchester United on 17th January. That relentlessness that Pep and his squads have shown in recent years is rearing its head once again, and when they click into gear, it is difficult to see how they can be stopped.

City are hunting their seventh Premier League title in Pep’s tenth year and with all the speculation surrounding his future, it is possible this season could be his last.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, West Ham’s point against Crystal Palace on Monday night means Burnley will be relegated tomorrow night if they fail to beat City. It will cap off a disappointing season for a side that reached 100 points in the Championship last season.

A 4-1 defeat away to Nottingham Forest put the nail in the coffin for Scott Parker’s side. Burnley will be envious of the other two sides who went up from the Championship with them, as Leeds are all but confirmed safe and Sunderland are outsiders in a European race at the other end of the Premier League table.

Parker’s side are all but down, yet they have racked up some impressive results in the past few months that have given the Burnley faithful something to cheer about. But a draw away at Chelsea and Bournemouth, as well as a fantastic win at Crystal Palace, have ultimately been for nothing. Focus will now turn to next season in the Championship.

Burnley have had to deal with constant injury issues this season and head into tomorrow’s game in no better shape. Josh Cullen is still out with a knee injury, as is midfielder Zeki Amdouni who has impressed when available. Fellow midfielder Hannibal Mejbri is still missing with a thigh injury and will be a major doubt to feature against Manchester City.

As for City, captain and leader Rodri was substituted during the second half against Arsenal and is a doubt with a thigh issue that Guardiola wants to treat lightly, considering the size of their games to come. Defender Josko Gvardiol is still out through injury and is unlikely to feature for the rest of the season as he still recovers from a tibial fracture. Fellow defender Ruben Dias is also still missing.

Tomorrow’s game is a huge chance for Manchester City to finally catch Arsenal after chasing the Gunners for most of the season, whereas for Burnley, it is a chance for them to cause a seismic shakeup in the Premier League before their inevitable demise.