The Premier League is back! The new season gets underway tonight with newly-promoted Burnley hosting the reigning champions Manchester City at Turf Moor. It’s been two months since the conclusion of the 2022/23 season saw City defeat Inter Milan and claim a treble of trophies in the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup.
Pep Guardiola will be hoping to repeat that success in this new campaign but City have been updating their squad this summer. Captain, Ilkay Gundogan, has moved to Barcelona, and Riyad Mahrez has joined Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli. Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol have since joined up with the champions and could feature in their first league game for the club this evening.
Burnley, meanwhile, are hoping to build on an outstanding season in the Championship under boss Vincent Kompany. They notched up 101 points in 46 games, scoring the most goals (87) and conceding the fewest (35) after a successful rebuild in the second tier. As Kompany prepares to face off against his old team he’ll be hoping that the Clarets bring this form and skill into the Premier League.
Follow all the action as the Premier League returns with Burnley hosting Manchester City:
Burnley vs Manchester City
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The opening Premier League match of the season kicks off is at 8pm at Turf Moor
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Goalkeeper James Trafford could make Burnley debut against his old club
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Josko Gvardiol ready to play for City with Mateo Kovacic in line to make his league debut for the champions
Burnley FC – Manchester City FC
Burnley vs Manchester City early team news
18:00 , Mike Jones
Vincent Kompany could Burnley could hand debuts to summer signings Zeki Amdouni, Sander Berge and Dara O’Shea while goalkeeper James Trafford may start against his old club on his first Premier League appearance for the Clarets.
Michael Obafemi is ruled out with a hamstring issue.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola confirmed that Croatia centre-back Josko Gvardiol is available after joining from RB Leipzig for £77m.
Nathan Ake is fit despite missing the Community Shield against Arsenal with a minor knock and Mateo Kovacic could make his league debut for City after moving from Chelsea in June for an initial £25m.
Burnley vs Manchester City
15:10 , Mike Jones
Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of the Premier League’s return. The 2023/24 season kicks off tonight with Burnley hosting Manchester City at Turf Moor.
Vincent Kompany has turned around the fortunes and style of play for Burnley since taking charge of the club last year. He led the Clarets to the top of the Championship and saw them win the league by 10 points to guarantee an immediate return to the top flight.
However, Kompany faces no tougher a start than to take on the current Premier League champions. Manchester City have won the last three league titles and five of the previous six. They’re coming into the season on the back of winning a treble and have brought reinforcements in to take them to the next level.
Pep Guardiola expects his team to dip in quality after such a successful season but he’ll be hoping to get his champions off to a winning start tonight.