Manchester City vs Burnley. The FA Cup Third Round.
Etihad StadiumAttendance53,285.
Saturday 6 January 2018 15:13, UK
Pep Guardiola starts his quest to win a fifth domestic cup as a manager when Manchester City host Burnley in the FA Cup third round.
City have extended their unbeaten Premier League run to 30 matches and are undefeated in the same number of games at the Etihad, where they did not lose in 2017.
City last welcomed Sean Dyche's side in October last year, which ended with a 3-0 victory to Guardiola's men.
Burnley will be backed by 7,600 fans at the Etihad Stadium and Dyche believes most of them now accept the world's oldest knockout competition plays second fiddle to the Premier League.
"There are a number of clubs, including ourselves, vying to stay in the Premier League, and that does take precedence," Dyche said.
"But I don't see it as a shame, just a reality. I love the cup but there has to be just a pure business plan of staying in the Premier League and growing the club.
"But on the other hand, are we going there trying to win? Of course we are. Absolutely. We'll be trying our best to win."
Vincent Kompany is a doubt after missing the both the Crystal Palace and Watford games due to a calf strain, while Phil Foden is unlikely to feature after picking up an ankle ligament injury.
Benjamin Mendy remains sidelined with a knee injury. Gabriel Jesus will also be out for the FA Cup game after he picked up an knee ligament problem against Crystal Palace.
Burnley are expected to be without midfielder Scott Arfield for their FA Cup third-round tie at Manchester City.
Arfield sustained a minor hamstring strain in the home defeat to Liverpool on New Year's Day and is unlikely to feature.
Defender Stephen Ward (knee) and striker Chris Wood (leg) are both making good progress but will not be in contention this weekend, while Tom Heaton (shoulder) and Robbie Brady (knee) remain long-term absentees.
Man City have faced Burnley on three previous occasions in the FA Cup (W2 D1), meeting at this exact stage in 1990/91, with Colin Hendry scoring City's only goal.
Manchester City have progressed to the fourth round in each of the last five campaigns, beating West Ham 5-0 (2016/17) and Norwich 3-0 (2015/16) most recently.
The Clarets have been drawn away in the FA Cup third round for the 12th time in the last 16 seasons, winning just three of those away trips (D3 L5).
City have won eight of their last 11 FA Cup games against Premier League opposition (L3), although they lost the most recent match 2-1 to Arsenal in last season's semi-final at Wembley.
Burnley made just one change to their team over the New Year and that last-gasp defeat to Liverpool must have knocked the stuffing out of them, so the last thing they need is a trip Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola can rotate again and still have enough quality, so I can only see the juggernaut rolling on here.
Charlie predicts: 3-0 (6/1 with Sky Bet)
