Mark Lawrenson fears 'harassing and chasing' Burnley could run out of steam in Manchester City clash

The first full bill of Premier League fixtures in over three months will take place this weekend, with an eye-catching, fully-televised programme of matches taking place behind-closed-doors.
(Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)(Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
(Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

Burnley face the daunting task of taking on Manchester City in their first game back, in what should be a tricky encounter against Pep Guardiola's Premier League champions.

Writing his weekly prediction piece for BBC Sport, Mark Lawrenson backed the Citizens to run out comfortable 3-0 winners on home turf. Justifying his pick, he wrote: "Liverpool will be champions if they beat Everton and City lose this game - but I think they might have to keep the champagne on ice a little bit longer.

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"This will be Burnley's first game back and Sean Dyche's side are the one team who might buck the trend and be at it straight away - being competitive, and tackling.

"But City have the massive advantage of having played once already, on top of the fact they’re a much better team of course. Burnley might still be full of running, harassing and chasing - but only for 70 minutes, not for 90."

Meanwhile, Lawro's competitor for the week, Sports Team drummer Al Greenwood, opted for a similarly tough evening for Burnley, predicting a 4-0 win for Guardiola's side.

City got their Premier League return off to a winning start earlier in the week, with a 3-0 win over Arsenal.

The Clarets have conceded 15 goals across their last four matches against Monday opponents, and will need to be at their best to prevent them from securing another comfortable victory.