How Man City should line up in Premier League opener vs Burnley

Manchester City get the new Premier League season underway on Friday night against Burnley.

The reigning champions will kick off the defence of their crown with a trip to Turf Moor and another meeting with their legendary captain Vincent Kompany. The two sides faced off in the FA Cup last season and City dealt out a 6-0 drubbing but the Clarets will be looking to make a splash on their return to the top flight.

Pep Guardiola has a fully fit squad to choose from going into the match and that includes new signing Josko Gvardiol. The centre-back didn't arrive in time to take part in last weekend's Community Shield defeat to Arsenal but has settled in nicely over the week.

In a further boost to the back-line, Nathan Ake is also available. The versatile defender missed the trip to Wembley with an injury but has returned to training and is ready to play.

Also read: Erling Haaland reaches Lionel Messi marker in second Man City season

"Yeah's he's ready," said Guardiola, who also said Gvardiol has settled in 'perfectly'. Before adding on Ake: "He's training good. He's ready too."

MEN Sport writers have detailed how they believe Guardiola should line his side up for the first match of the season and you can add your own team in the widget below.

Daniel Murphy

There will no doubt be a clamour to see Josko Gvardiol in action against Burnley but it might make sense to let him watch this one from the sidelines. Burnley aren't the physically imposing side they once were and Gvardiol is certainly big enough to deal with that anyway but given it's a trip Guardiola often likens to a trip to the 'dentist' it might be worth starting a more experienced centre-back pairing.

John Stones and Ruben Dias could partner with Kyle Walker and