Burnley (A) - Fri 11th Aug | Pre-Match Thread

[MCFC1993]

Kick off time 20:00 (BST). Live on Sky Sports for those in the UK.

The start of our title defence. A chance to be the first team to win 4 titles in-a-row in the Premier League era.

Can't imagine the Community Shield defeat will linger in the players thoughts for too long. I'm already over it to be honest.

I'm sure Vinny will have his lads right up for it, newly promoted sides always are and it's why Sky picks these games for TV/first game of the season.

Tough to predict our starting XI I thought Foden and De Bruyne looked sharp when they came on.

My Predicted XI:
-------------------Ederson
Walker---Stones---Dias---Akanji
----------------------Rodri
----------De Bruyne---Kovacic
Bernardo------Haaland------Foden

Might be slightly harsh on Grealish, just thought Foden looked sharper.

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

I would like to see Foden in midfield rather than on the wings again

 

[citytill1die84]

This is where it begins.

 

[balotelli's back pocket]

Expect Pep to go back to the usual system for this one.

Ederson
Walker Dias Akanji
Stones Rodri
Bernardo KDB Foden Grealish
Haaland

Ortega, Gvardiol, Laporte, Lewis, Gomez, Phillips, Kovacic, Palmer, Alvarez

 

[Haaland94]

-----------------Ederson
Walker---Stones---Dias---Gvardiol
-------------------Rodri
----------De Bruyne---Kovacic
Bernardo------Haaland------Foden

 

[Blu3m00n91]

Finally. Can’t wait for this. Today was just a taster. Let’s go win 4 in a row.

Ederson; Walker Dias Gvardiol; Stones Rodri; Foden Bernardo Kovacic Grealish; Haaland

 

[Harrilew]

..............Ederson
Walker Stones Dias Akanji
.............Rodri
.......De Bruyne Foden
Bernardo...............Grealish
............Haaland

 

[SCEtoAUX]

They'll be referring to this as the Foden season. It's his time, I can feel it.

 

[TrentGrisham]

I thought Kovacic was good but I'm curious to see if he immediately becomes a starter in the league. I'm going with Akanji on the right for Walker if Ake is fit as we're going to dominate the ball and he gives us far more in the attacking third. Also, throwing Palmer in because why not? Let's see if he can build on his outing tonight. I think KDB comes back slowly as the season is long.

..............Ederson
Akanji Stones Dias Ake
.............Rodri
.......Bernardo Foden
Palmer(?)...............Grealish
............Haaland

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

I thought Kovacic was good but I'm curious to see if he immediately becomes a starter in the league. I'm going with Akanji on the right for Walker if Ake is fit as we're going to dominate the ball and he gives us far more in the attacking third. Also, throwing Palmer in because why not? Let's see if he can build on his outing tonight. I think KDB comes back slowly as the season is long.

..............Ederson
Akanji Stones Dias Ake
.............Rodri
.......Bernardo Foden
Palmer(?)...............Grealish
............Haaland

I agree on your point about KDB. I think we should slowly integrate him back into the side after injury

 

[Blu1]

This will not be easy as we are not match fit. I will take a draw but I’m prepared for the loss. Vinny will have these fired up

I really see it taking 3/4 games before we get going.

I hope I’m wrong and we smash them by 5

 

[simon23]

My starting 11

--------Ederson--------

Walker-- Dias----- Akanji. (presiming Ake is injured)
-----Stones------Rodri------
------KDB -------Foden
Bernardo--- Haaland---- Grealish/Alvarez

Only thing that changes this is Pep decided to drop Gvardiol straight into the game

It could be a very slow start to the season...if people remember last season despite us winning quite a lot at the start of the season there were concerns over some of the performances of the team....I see that happening again....

I dont think we will see this starting 11 as Im sure Pep will want to start Kovacic BUT that could make us struggle for creativity unless you put foden wide left and drop Grealish in that scenario

 

[TinFoilHat]

Have a feeling were gonna lose this one nil.

Can't shake it.

 

[Roberto Manciti]

Very unfortunate to draw the promoted Championship winners away for the first match of the PL season. They'll be on a high, not yet accustomed to being humbled. Big battle ahead. Trust City will be up for it.

 

[Blue and true]

There's a lot of pessimism here. I honestly think we'll win this comfortably.

 

[malg]

Take 1-1 right now.

Their first game at home, Vinny will have them right up for it. After seeing the game today we look very, very rusty. KdB looked like he's ate Steak Bakes all summer. Haaland is on a barren streak.

1-1 would be a good result.

 

[TrentGrisham]

1-1 would be a good result.

No, it really wouldn't be.

Although I agree that KDB looked a bit...erm... big-boned out there today ;)

 

[come-on-barney]

Take 1-1 right now.

Their first game at home, Vinny will have them right up for it. After seeing the game today we look very, very rusty. KdB looked like he's ate Steak Bakes all summer. Haaland is on a barren streak.

1-1 would be a good result.

Ridiculous, expecting 0-8 at least

 

[Damanino]

Can see this game finish 2am on Saturday with all the added time.

 

[Gone for a Burton]

The giddy 6 fingered yonners won't remember last night,never mind the last ten games we've played them.

Have we scored more, or less than 35 goals in those games ??

Have we conceded more or less than 5 goals ??

Have faith my brethren, the end is neither neigh nor in sight !!