Burnley vs Manchester City LIVE: O’Reilly replaces Rodri in midfield as visitors look to go top of Premier League table

Burnley could see their relegation from the Premier League confirmed after Wednesday night’s clash against title-chasing Manchester City, but manager Scott Parker admits the prospect has been weighing heavily for months.

All eyes will turn to Turf Moor for a game that could see City replace Arsenal at the top of the table, but the stakes are just as high for the Clarets.

Defeat against Pep Guardiola’s powerhouses would guarantee a return to the Championship, a year on from their 100-point promotion in Parker’s first season.

Rayan Cherki had added a goal in the biggest game of the Premier League season to a pair of assists at Stamford Bridge last week. The maverick with the magical touch has shown a productivity. He has a showman’s trickery but he has also made the second most goals in the top flight. He can be framed as the difference-maker, in part because, in a division dominated by set-pieces, few have his creativity in open play, or his joie de vivre.

And yet when Pep Guardiola was asked if his bargain of a signing should be named player of the year, he scoffed. “Come, come,” he said. “He’s so young.” If Guardiola had a vote, either for the PFA or Football Writers’ Association awards, it is safe to say it would be cast for Bernardo Silva. Not just this season, either, as Silva is his man for all seasons. He is his favourite.

Burnley boss Scott Parker has made three changes to the side that were soundly beaten by Nottingham Forest last time out. it looks like a move to a back five, with Bashir Humphreys coming into defence in place of Marcus Edwards.

Josh Laurent has replaced Florentino Luis in midfield, while Loum Tchaouna comes in in place of Lesley Ugochukwu.

Pep Guardiola has made just one change to the side that beat Arsenal at the weekend, with Rayan Ait-Nouri replacing the injured Rodri. The Algerian comes in at left-back, while Nico O’Reilly moves into midfield.

Burnley XI: Walker, Esteve, Ekdal, Humphreys, Hartman, Tchaouna, Ward-Prowse, Laurent, Anthony, Flemming.

Subs: Weiss, Worral, Ugochukwu, Foster, Edwards, Luis, Pires, Broja, Tresor.

City XI: Donnarumma, Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, Ait-Nouri, Bernardo, O’Reilly, Semenyo, Cherki, Doku, Haaland

Subs: Trafford, Reijnders, Stones, Ake, Marmoush, Kovacic, Nico, Savinho, Foden

The line-ups for both sides should be released in the next five minutes, so here’s a reminder of the early team news…

Josh Cullen and Connor Roberts remain absent for Burnley due to knee and calf injuries respectively, with Parker hopeful of retaining his side who faced Forest on Sunday.

Man City’s star midfielder Rodri limped off in the closing stages of the win against Arsenal on Sunday with a groin injury and, if not match-fit, Nico Gonzalez could deputise. Otherwise, Pep Guardiola is likely to continue with an in-form starting XI.

Rodri sustained his injury late in Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium. Guardiola indicated the 29-year-old Spain international’s issue appeared to be groin-related.

City have scored five or more goals in five different Premier League games against Burnley. No side has done so more often against another in the history of the competition.

The Clarets are winless in their last 12 league matches at home – they’ve only had a longer run once, going 14 without winning at Turf Moor in 2021.