Source: Man_City
Burnley v City: Preview
Emmanuel AdebayorThe bigger they are, the harder they will fall. That is Emmanuel Adebayor's mantra as the Blues gear up for the final push on their Champions League summit. The big striker feels that City's record against the Premier League elite this season proves that the tough run-in may end up being a bonus. But he also believes that manager Roberto Mancini has taught the team how to dispose of the lesser lights - and they can prove that by winning at Burnley. Four of City's last seven games are against team chasing European placings with United, Spurs and Aston Villa yet to visit Eastlands and a tricky trip to Arsenal still to come. Adebayor says that could be a reason to rejoice rather than fear. stating: "We are better against the bigger teams so the run-in might suit us. "We have already beaten Arsenal, we beat Chelsea home and away and while we lost to United in a game of seven goals, everyone knows the history of that game. "Since Roberto Mancini came here we have been learning a lot of things and knowing how to beat teams like Wigan is one of them. "It was a win which puts the pressure back on Spurs because they know they still have to come and play us here." Adebayor admits he has not even glanced at the run-ins of the other teams, feeling that those players and managers who do pore over others' fixtures are showing insecurity. "I don't even look at what games Tottenham, Liverpool and Villa have coming up - you just have to concentrate on your own job," he said. "If you start making calculations, it means you are afraid of something, so we just focus on our job. "We play Spurs near the end of the season, and we aim to win all of our games before we play them. We know that could be a special game, maybe like a cup final, but all we can think about now is Burnley. "We have to beat them, get the three points in our pocket and move on to the next game. "It will be a tough game. Anyone who goes to Turf Moor knows how difficult it is. Their motivation is high, especially when they are at home with their fans behind them. "We are fighting to be in the top four, but they are fighting to survive, so it's going to be an exciting game. "We always knew this was going to be tough, and now we need all of our best players to see this through to the end of the season." The Blues travel to Turf Moor without Stevie Ireland, whose ankle injury picked up against Everton, is turning out to be more troublesome than first thought. Mancini will delay his team selection but is mulling over the option of resting Nigel de Jong to try to prevent him picking up a tenth yellow card of the season, and triggering an automatic two-match ban. That punishment would not apply after an April 11 deadline. Pablo Zabaleta starts a two-match ban. The Blues boss has concerns about the Turf Moor playing surface and has told his team they must match the Clarets for commitment in order to come away with anything. "The pitch is not good," he said. "I watched them on TV, and have great respect for them - they play very strong and try to play football." Burnley captain Steven Caldwell returns to the squad to face Manchester City tomorrow following a four-month absence with a groin injury.Caldwell is in the frame after coming through a reserve match this week without any reaction. Full back and former Blue Stephen Jordan is expected to recover from a knee problem in time but Chris McCann remains sidelined with a similar injury. Manchester City (from): Given, Taylor, Richards, Zabaleta, Toure, Boyata, Kompany, Garrido, Sylvinho, Onuoha, Wright-Phillips, Bellamy, Barry, Vieira, De Jong, Johnson, Tevez, Adebayor, Santa Cruz, Ibrahim. Burnley (from): Jensen, Mears, Jordan, Duff, Cort, Caldwell, Alexander, Elliott, McDonald, Nugent, Fletcher, Blake, Paterson, Eagles, Thompson, Bikey, Cork, Edgar, Carlisle, Fox, Weaver. Burnley league form: LLDLL City league form: WDWLW Key opponent: Chris Eagles - talented operator and can create chances if given space Prediction: Burnley 0 City 1 - The Clarets are bound to make it tough but City should come away with the points Agree with the prediction? Have your say. Click here for all the latest odds from Betfred.
