Top stories today:

1. Manchester City vs Burnley game preview and prediction

2. Haaland Returns as City have a full squad back in training

3. FA Cup Draw against Luton Town and our thoughts

4. CEIS Report thoughts looking back

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0. Standings, Fixtures and Statistics

1. Manchester City vs Burnley Preview

Could this be the game we see Kevin De Bruyne’s first start since his return from injury?

Quick Thoughts

• We could see a change in the standings this game week, Arsenal away to Forrest and Liverpool hosting Chelsea. Important result to get this one at home.

• Expect that after three sub appearances, this is the game the club target for De Bruyne to start. Along with getting as many players returning from injury some minutes. That includes Haaland and Stones.

• Burnley haven’t lost by a three or more goal margin, in the Premier League, since they played Brentford away October 21st. Don’t expect them to be very open given how the away fixture went at the season start.

• Is this game perfect for Rico Lewis to start? Given the issues around Walker this past week and the huge amount of minutes he is racking up. Good opportunity to rest him and get Rico a game. Inverting into midfield.

• Did Bobb do enough to warrant another start? Doku has not looked as sharp coming back as he did pre-injury and Grealish has been in and out the team with both illness and injury of late.

Key Stats

• Burnley's only win in the 31 most recent meetings in all competitions came in the Premier League at Turf Moor in March 2015 when George Boyd scored the winner.

• Burnley haven't scored a goal in eight games versus City since Robbie Brady's 89th-minute strike in a 4-1 Premier League defeat at Turf Moor in December 2019.

• Manchester City have earned seven successive victories in all competitions and are on a 31-match unbeaten run at home.

• Phil Foden has seven goals and seven assists in Manchester City's 13 competitive home games this season.

Injuries of Note

• Sander Berge, Aaron Ramsey, Jordan Beyer and Hannes Delcroix are all doubts.

• Manchester City have a full squad in training, Haaland and Akanji confirmed to be back by Pep Guardiola.

City Approach

• We need to get minutes into our players returning, perfect game to start Kev from the off and build that up. Haaland the same, he normally starts rather than coming off the bench post injury.

• We must be slow and controlled in the build up to prevent any counter attacks, one of Burnleys strengths breaking with pace after pressing teams on the ball.

• Burnley have the second highest percentage of goal kicks launched (74%) which means winning duels will be key to controlling the match, keeping them out of the game.

• Burnley have the lowest xG per 90 in the premier league this season, they will not be a threat for creating chances with the ball but will be if we don’t take care in our build up against their press.

• Rico to come in for Walker, give him a rest and inverting into midfield for the build up approach without Kovacic.

• Resting Kovacic for the Brentford game. Get into a position during the second half to come on with the game already won. Can come on for Rodri.

• Ake has been fantastic all season, deserves to keep starting games. Stones to come on at the end of second half.

• Ederson back in for Ortega, should be completely normal now after Newcastle.

• Grealish to get minutes after illness. Doku and Bobb options to bring on second half to rest Foden, Bernardo etc.

• Alvarez to come on second half depending on Haaland.

Predicted Lineup: Ederson, Rico Lewis, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol, Rodri, KDB, Bernardo, Foden, Grealish, Haaland

Score Prediction: Manchester City 3 - 0 Burnley

2. Full Squad Training - Robot Returns

City are now back to having a full team in training, for the first time this season, several players are closer to ninety minutes than others but all are back with the group.

City have handled the absence of Haaland well, with him playing last against Villa Dec 6th. Will be a huge boost for the team coming into an intense set of fixtures, playing every 3-4 days.

Akanji returning will not get the same buzz as Haaland but it’s still huge news. Key to our build up, has great recovery pace and allows us to rotate much better at the back.

3. FA Cup Draw: Luton Town

The next FA Cup game will take place on February 28th, 19:45. The game prior to the Manchester derby in the league.

City have played against Luton away in the league this season. A tough game that they pushed through to get three points. Won’t be any surprises for the players this time, knowing that under the lights they cannot afford to take anything for granted.

4. Look at CIES Reports

CIES Football Observatory is a reach group within the international center for sport studies. They provide some great reports and insights, here are just a few of them of note.

Most profitable club academies worldwide (Report)

• Saw City ranked outside the top 20 from 2014 - 2018 (€49m). Moving up to 4th for 2019-2023 (€205m).

• Increase of 81% from those two periods.

• Push from the club to make the best football academy in the world is clear across the long term results, now in the same group as Chelsea, Ajax and Benfica for revenues generated.

Promsing U21 talents in the world (Report)

• The report identifies 200 players who were born after the 1st January 2002 and have accumulated the highest experience capital in official matches played in adult competitions in 2022. Interesting to look back on where they ranked them to their progression now.

• Most promising ball-playing centre backs ranked Gvardiol top (prior to his move) and Taylor Harwood-Bellis (on loan at Burnley, now Southampton)

• Most promising two-way left backs has Destiny Udogie ranked 2nd, who went from Udinese to Spurs. Now having a very good season. Hickey (Brentford) is ranked 3rd and Kerkez (Bournemouth) is 4th.

• Yan Couto is ranked 3rd for most promising two-way right backs (on loan at Girona).

• Maximo Perrone is ranked 4th for most promising defensive playmakers (on loan at Las Palmas).

Plenty of other interesting names that are now in the premier league and potential moves for City to make.

Future Champions (Report)

• The report highlights players born in 2003 or later who have accumulated the most playing experience over the last year (until 11 Dec 2023). Interesting to see those played and their progression this season.

• An array of young talented defenders coming through at center back with Scalvini, Beraldo (moved to PSG), Antonio Silva, Leny Yoro and more.

• Rico Lewis is second for right wing/full backs.

Plenty of other interesting names that are now in the premier league and potential moves for City to make.

5. Interesting News & Links

• Yan Couto linked to City return from loan this summer, to push for a spot in the first team and sign a new contract. Comp from his most recent game below. 👇

• Manchester City among several clubs monitoring the contract situation of Alphonso Davies.

• Pep Guardiola on average uses 2.8 subs per game in the Premier League. The second lowest.

• Our Summer Road Map Series is complete, you can check out the final squad picks linked here.

• Micah Hamilton has be subject to interest from the Championship, Watford approached for a loan deal till the summer. Two other clubs interested. City have no plans for him to leave.

• Aston Villa buying English winger Morgan Rogers (City Academy 2019-23), Manchester City will get 25% of the deal as sell-on clause was included with sale to Boro.

• Clip from the game against Spurs 😂

That’s all for today, let us know anything you want us to delve into deeper in a future newsletter.