Manchester City report: Three stars ruled out of trip to Burnley

Pep Guardiola’s men will be without three key players for their trip to Burnley tonight as they look to overtake Arsenal in the Premier League table.

Manchester City, who won in last weekend’s potentially Premier League title-deciding clash against current leaders Arsenal, would claim the competition’s top spot with a win tonight.

A victory of any kind would see Guardiola’s men equal Arsenal on 70 points - winning by just a one goal deficit would make them Premier League leaders courtesy of goals scored, with both tied on +37 goal difference.

Three key Manchester City players ruled out of Burnley clash

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After his commanding midfield performance in the 2-1 Etihad win over Arsenal, Rodri has been ruled out of tonight’s trip by Pep Guardiola in a pre-match press conference.

The Spaniard, who won the 2024 Ballon D’or, has started City’s last 11 Premier League games - recording seven defensive contributions, nine duels won and a 93% pass completion rate against Arsenal.

Guardiola told reporters: ‘I think he will not be ready for tomorrow and we will see for the next games. Maybe [he’ll be back] for the semi-final against Southampton, or in 12 or 13 days against Everton.’

The Manchester City boss heaped praise on Rodri and departing legend Bernardo Silva, describing them as ‘really important’ to his side’s recent victories.

‘They are not young guys anymore, they are experienced guys who have played a lot in these types of games and know how they must be played… exceptional,’ said Guardiola.

The Cityzens will also be without Ruben Dias, described by his head coach as ‘not ready yet’ following the hamstring injury he sustained in last month’s Champions League clash against Real Madrid.

Dias is sidelined with another crucial member of Manchester City’s backline, Josko Gvardiol, who sustained a tibial fracture in January during the side’s 1-1 Etihad draw against Chelsea.

On the importance of tonight’s match – Arsenal will have led the league for 200 days at the time of Manchester City’s arrival at Turf Moor – Guardiola said: “Both teams know we cannot lose or drop points, or it will be difficult to recover.

“Arsenal is top of the league and right now they would be champions. We talked immediately after the [Arsenal] game, do not lose the focus,” he continued.

Manchester City return to Premier League action this evening, looking to take the table’s top spot with a win against 19th-placed Burnley.