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