As we return from the international break, Manchester City sit top of the Premier League. Although this is a mantle that has only been earned by virtue of goal difference as they are on the same points as both Chelsea and Liverpool.
It could and perhaps should have been a three point gap over Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side after recent events at Anfield. In a game that arguably did not live up to the hype, City were presented were presented with a golden opportunity late on.
One that came in the shape of a second half penalty, only with Sergio Aguero substituted off at this point it posed a dilemma as to who would take it. The decision eventually fell to Summer signing Riyad Mahrez.
And after opening his account against Cardiff a couple of weeks previously, the former Leicester man was not going to get an easier chance to add to his goal tally. However, he blazed the ball high over the bar from 12 yards as this early season clash of two title rivals ended in stalemate.
City will look to return to winning ways though as they play host to Sean Dyche’s Burnley, who themselves had to make do with just a point in their last league outing before the season reached its October hiatus.
A point that after recent efforts will come as something of a disappointment to Burnley after their recent efforts. They had to make do with a share of the spoils against a Huddersfield side that are still looking for their first league win of the season.
Coming off the back of successive league victories, Burnley would have gone into that tie with Huddersfield confident of making it three in a row and more importantly putting more daylight between themselves and the relegation zone.
With just an additional point for their efforts they find themselves lying 12th in the table some four points off of the top half, although that place could well be in danger after events at the Etihad this weekend.
At the same time, it does represent something of a free hit for Burnley boss Sean Dyche and his players, they will go into this game with little hope of success but at the same time with minimal pressure either.
They will however need to be careful if they do take that approach as you only need to look at how Huddersfield fared earlier in the campaign. They came to the Etihad with nothing to lose and ended up getting demolished by six goals to one.
The chances are Burnley will not get beaten by such a disparaging score, and at the same time you would also imagine the Clarets to at least make more of a first of it. Whatever way you look at it though, they are certainly going to have their work cut out.
City will look to win, not just to return to top form but also for the simple fact that they cannot afford to drop points at present with Chelsea and Liverpool firmly in their rear mirrors. This has all the makings of a comfortable home win.