Man City vs. Burnley confirmed lineups: Haaland, Rodri decision made as Guardiola makes six changes

Erling Haaland has been named in Manchester City’s starting lineup for this afternoon’s Premier League clash with Burnley at the Etihad Stadium.

The Premier League’s top scorer with six goals in just five appearances missed the Citizens’ 2-0 win at Huddersfield Town in the EFL Cup third round on Wednesday with a minor back issue.

However, Pep Guardiola reassured Man City fans that the Norwegian is “ready” to play against the Clarets and will indeed lead the line this afternoon.

Guardiola has made a total of six changes to his starting lineup, with ex-Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford returning to the bench as Gianluigi Donnarumma starts for the third successive PL game since joining on transfer deadline day.

Ruben Dias, who will wear the captain's armband, and Josko Gvardiol are handed starts in the heart of the defence, while Matheus Nunes and Nico O’Reilly, the latter fresh from signing a new long-term contract, retain their places at full-back.

Rodri has been left out of the matchday squad as he is “not fully fit” according to City’s official website, so Nico Gonzalez keeps his starting spot and will begin as a deep-lying midfielder, while Tijjani Reijnders is recalled to link up with in-form Phil Foden in an advanced midfield position.

Like Foden, Savinho scored against Huddersfield and he is rewarded with another start, this time on the right wing as Jeremy Doku returns on the opposite flank to provide support in attack for central-striker Haaland.

Walker starts against former club as Parker reverts to strong Burnley XI

As for Burnley, Scott Parker has made 11 changes to the side than began the 2-1 defeat to Cardiff City in the EFL Cup in midweek.

The headline inclusion is experienced defender Kyle Walker, who will start at right-back against his former club Man City where he won 18 trophies and made over 300 appearances over an eight-year career at the Etihad.

Josh Laurent is once again set to be deployed as a centre-back in a five-man defence alongside centre-backs Hjalmar Ekdal and Maxime Esteve, with Quilindschy Hartman returning at left-back as Martin Dubravka is recalled between the sticks.

Captain Josh Cullen will link arms with Florentino Luis in midfield, while Loum Tchaouna and Jaidon Anthony will start on the flanks, providing support in the final third for central striker Lyle Foster, who scored away against Manchester United earlier this season.

Meanwhile, Jacob Bruun Larsen is fit to return the substitutes’ bench that also includes Hannibal Mejbi, Armando Broja and Zian Flemming.

Manchester City starting lineup: Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Gonzalez, Savinho, Reijnders, Foden, Doku; Haaland

Subs: Trafford, Stones, Ake, Kovacic, Bernardo, Bobb, McAidoo, Mukasa, Lewis

Burnley starting lineup: Dubravka, Walker, Esteve, Ekdal, Hartman, Florentino, Tchaouna, Cullen, Laurent, Anthony, Foster

Subs: Weiss, Worrall, Brunn Larsen, Ugochukwu, Edwards, Humphreys, Flemming, Broja, Hannibal