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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Simon Bajkowski & Daniel Murphy & Jack Flintham

How Man City should line up against Burnley in FA Cup quarter final tie

Fresh off the back of their stunning 7-0 win over RB Leipzig on Tuesday, Manchester City return to action against Burnley in the FA Cup on Saturday.

City will be bouncing after their remarkable victory over Leipzig, which saw Erling Haaland net five, to advance to the Champions League quarter-finals. Now Pep Guardiola's side will be looking to book a trip to Wembley and earn a place in the FA Cup semi-finals. But a club icon stands in their way.

Vincent Kompany has done a remarkable job since taking over at Burnley in the summer and currently has them 13 points clear at the top of the Championship with an immediate return to the Premier League all but guaranteed. Before the two parties likely meet as equals next season, Kompany will be hoping to get one over on his former club.

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After coming through Tuesday's match unscathed, the Blues have a fully fit squad available for the final game before the first international break of 2023.

Here's how MEN Sport writers believe City should line up and you can choose your own team in the widget below.

Simon Bajkowski

Guardiola gets the chance to include some players that need game time, but at the same time won't want to tinker too much given the reward for winning this game is a trip to Wembley. As he says, Burnley have to be treated like a Premier League team because they have been far too good for the Championship this season.

Julian Alvarez deserves a start, although I would play Erling Haaland as well and look for the pair of them to grow their partnership. Ilkay Gundogan can put his feet up after celebrating the birth of his first child this week.

Aymeric Laporte surely has to play at the back after so long without a game, and Rico Lewis can also come in at right-back to continue his promising debut campaign. Stefan Ortega gets another chance to impress and put pressure on Ederson.

Daniel Murphy

With it being the last game before the international break there's no reason for Pep Guardiola not to name a really strong side against Burnley, even if a few changes are made.

Aymeric Laporte should come in for a rare start to partner John Stones at centre-back while Kyle Walker and Rico Lewis could be deployed as full-backs. In midfield, Rodri should stay in the starting XI even if it is a blow to Kalvin Phillips, with Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva either side.

Jack Grealish could also do with a rest so he should make way for Phil Foden with Riyad Mahrez on the opposite flank. Julian Alvarez may be frustrated not to start but it's hard to drop Erling Haaland.

Jack Flintham

The challenge for Guardiola this weekend is to balance rotation with strength. As we all know, Kompany has managed to form a Burnley team that is capable of upsetting the Blues on their day.

Fortunately, an international break is just around the corner so the need for rotation is perhaps lessened. Having not played in midweek, I believe Stefan Ortega will be given a run out like he has been granted so far in the FA Cup this season.

Despite his heroics on Tuesday night, Haaland is the player most in need of a rest considering how important he is to the team. With that in mind, and a fresh contract in the bag, Julian Alvarez should be given the opportunity to start up front.

Here is Jack's team for the FA Cup quarter-final vs Burnley (Pick the Team)

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