Newly promoted Burnley will hope to start the 2023/24 Premier League season with a bang when they host Manchester City at Turf Moor on Friday evening.
The Clarets enjoyed a superb first season under Vincent Kompany, breathtakingly winning the Championship title with 105 points. Having made Turf Moor a fortress last season, Kompany and his side will be a tricky test for Manchester City.
The Sky Blues, on the other hand, will look to brush off the disappointment of Sunday’s penalty shootout defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield and pick up all three points to begin the title defence. The transfer market is still open, so many changes can happen between now and the end of the month but for Friday, Pep Guardiola should have the same players that had travelled to Wembley for the Community Shield.
With all eyes on the 2023/24 Premier League season opener, lets us take a look at the key battles on the pitch between Burnley and Manchester City.
#Erling Haaland vs Burnley centre-backs
Erling Haaland had a poor outing against Arsenal in the Community Shield, failing to impact the game in any manner before being substituted in the 65th minute. Failing to score against Arsenal means the Norwegian striker has gone six competitive games without a goal.
Nonetheless, Haaland is a top striker and is expected to snap back into form. Having netted 52 goals throughout last campaign, he will be a massive threat to Burnley’s defence.
Ameen Al-Dakhil and Jordan Beyer are expected to form the centre-back pairing at the heart of Burnley’s defence on Friday evening. Al-Dakhil and Beyer, along with the full-backs, have to be disciplined, vigilant and switched on throughout the 90 minutes to keep Haaland quiet.
#Kevin de Bruyne vs Josh Brownhill
Kevin de Bruyne has arguably been among Premier League’s best players in the last four to five years. He is a complete midfielder and can hurt his team’s opponent in one blink of an eye.
Having established a fantastic understanding with Haaland last season, De Bruyne will look to find the Norwegian in the box every time he gets the ball. So, it will be vital for Burnley to stop De Bruyne from having much space and time on the ball.
Vincent Kompany is wary of his former teammate’s qualities and may task Josh Brownhill with nullifying the midfield maestro’s threat. Brownhill played a crucial role in Burnley’s promotion success last term, registering seven goals and eight assists in 41 appearances. Apart from his creativity and goal-scoring quality, the 27-year-old doesn’t shy away from sticking his foot out to intercept the opposition’s attacks.
If Brownhill can stop De Bruyne from being his natural self at Turf Moor, Burnley’s chances of shocking City in the curtain-raiser will only become higher.
#Anass Zaroury vs Kyle Walker
Anass Zaroury joined Burnley from Belgian club Charleroi last summer and went on to score seven goals and register five assists in 34 league appearances, as Vincent Kompany’s side clinched the Championship title. A player with a bag of tricks, he was a menace for the Championship defenders.
The Morocco international will be a huge threat to the City defence, which is likely to have Kyle Walker start on the right of a back three. Walker will need to shoulder the responsibility of stopping Zaroury from making runs in behind the City backline. The England international has the pace and energy to match the Burnley winger, whilst his rich experience should go a long way in keeping him at bay.
All in all, it will be an intriguing battle between Zaroury and Walker on Turf Moor.