We simulated Burnley vs Man City to predict Premier League opener

Manchester City will begin their 2023/24 Premier League campaign when they face newly-promoted Burnley on Friday night.

Last season saw City win the Premier League as part of their historic Treble, the third Premier League title Pep Guardiola's side has won in a row. Ilkay Gundogn and Riyad Mahrez have both departed City this summer whilst Croatian duo Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol have both arrived as Guardiola looks to defend his title.

City enter the clash with Burnley on the back of a penalty shootout defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield, making it three successive defeats for City in the competition. Kevin De Bruyne returned to full fitness against the Gunners and should be in contention to start on Friday night, whilst Nathan Ake could also return to Guardiola's squad.

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So, could City pick up three points to start their Premier League season? Let's take a look.

To complete this simulation, we used FIFA 23 and updated the squads with the latest injuries, transfers and suspensions. FIFA 23 is not up to date with the latest kits or numbers, so both sides are in the kits from the 2022/23 season.

We predict that the Clarets could set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with their line-up as follows: Muric; Roberts, Beyer, Ekdal, Vitinho; Cork, Cullen; Redmond, Brownhill, Zaroury; Rodriguez.

We predict that City could line up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: Ederson; Stones, Dias, Gvardiol, Akanji; De Bruyne, Rodri, Kovacic; Bernardo, Haaland, Grealish.

City started the clash at Turf Moor just as they ended last season, with Guardiola's side controlling every aspect of the game. Former City 'keeper Arijanet Muric was forced into multiple saves in the