Preview: Burnley (Home)

Saturday's visit of near-neighbours Burnley to Eastlands will be the first time the clubs have met in the top flight in over three decades. A goalless draw midway through an 18-game unbeaten run during the 1975/76 season would prove Rodney Marsh's final game in a City shirt. Since then Burnley generally led a middling existence around the lower divisions, almost vacating the Football League altogether at one point, before beating Sheffield United in May's Championship Play-Offs.

I personally think it's great to have Burnley back amongst the so-called big boys, for several reasons. Firstly, they're a near-rival, and although there's no real edge to relations between the two clubs, rather them than some randomers hundreds of miles South. It's also great to see a club with real history doing their damnedest to unsettle the elite, founder members of the Football League and a century-old typically-English stadium, i'll take that over a Reading or a Hull any day of the week.

Perhaps more relevant to the upcoming game than some wannabe football purist's hyperbole, though, they're quite a tidy football side, and the way in which Owen Coyle's turned the club round in such a short space of time warrants a great deal of respect. Last year, along with Swansea under Roberto Martinez, they were a credit to their division in terms of playing style, and without shelling out an extortionate amount of money this summer Coyle has stuck by his players and ideals, and to some success, at home at least.

Truth be told, i don't fancy the return fixture too much. United, Everton and Sunderland have already been dispatched of, and on their own patch Burnley look a match for anyone. Sadly, for them at least, like us last year, they're definite 'homers', five games on the road have yielded no points and only two goals as the side struggle to influence games without the vocal support of the locals.

Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor are expected to return to the starting eleven after recovering from heel and ankle knocks, respectively. Wayne Bridge picked up a knee strain at Birmingham but is thought a probable, whilst Roque Santa Cruz will miss out. Robinho and Nedum Onuoha will still be absent but should be back within the next fortnight.

Burnley manager Owen Coyle has announced that he'll stick with the same side that beat Hull 2-0, in part to some puzzling refereeing decisions, last Saturday. That would see two familiar faces making a return, full-backs Tyrone Mears and Stephen Jordan. I'd hope the latter in particular will get a warm welcome from our supporters. Paterson, McCann and Rodriquez will miss out, but on-loan Pompey man Dave Nugent is likely to earn a place on the bench.

The Clarets away form should mean we're confident about taking all three points. Coupled with our excellent home results over the calender year gives the impression that this one will only go one way. With that comes a certain amount of danger, but if we play to anything like our best we should win the game and hopefully put on a bit of a show after four successive and largely drab Premier League draws.

I'd be really tempted to bring Stevie Ireland back in, but i suspect Hughes will stick with Nigel de Jong and Gareth Barry in midfield. Without the Irishman's craft we tend to invite sides onto us, and although de Jong has generally played well when called upon, given Burnley's record away from Turf Moor we shouldn't need the extra insurance he provides. Away from home, or against the better sides in the league, he can do a valuable job, but his inclusion in the team, and Ireland's absence, has an obvious derogatory effect on our passing game.

Should Wayne Bridge not pass a fitness test then summer arrival Sylvinho will take his place. Quietly impressive during his only start so far, i'm sure the Brazilian will do a fine job. I'd have thought Shaun Wright-Phillips, one of the better performers of a bad bunch at St.Andrews, will get the nod, and teacher's pet Bellamy, quieter of late but nursing an injury, may pip Martin Petrov for the left-wing role, though again i'd probably disagree with the manager on that one, but i'd really fancy SWP and Petrov's chances against the aforementioned returning full-backs.

With three of the also-rans; Liverpool, Spurs & Villa, all at home this weekend and breathing down our necks, it's a must-win game, and how the team react to the last home fixture, the disappointing draw with Fulham, will be a real test of character. Last season we beat every side in the bottom half at home, and only a record similar or better will likely be good enough for improvement to the extent of finishing in the top four. A win, a performance, and ideally clean sheet, please, lads.

Probable teams:
City: Given, Zabaleta, Bridge, Toure, Lescott, de Jong, Wright-Phillips, Barry, Tevez, Adebayor, Bellamy

Burnley: Jensen, Mears, Jordan, Carlisle, Bikey, Caldwell, Alexander, Elliott, Fletcher, Blake, Eagles

Prediction: City 4 Burnley 0