Erling Haaland on the bench after five-goal haul – Predicted XI: Manchester City vs Burnley (FA Cup Quarter-Final)

Manchester City welcome returning hero Vincent Kompany back to the Etihad Stadium this weekend in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Former club captain and City legend Kompany brings his high-flying Burnley side to the Etihad on Saturday afternoon. But despite his iconic status at the club, the Belgian coach will have no room for sentiment as he looks to progress to the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

The former City and Belgium star has cemented his legacy in English football through a period of domestic dominance during his playing days, but to win the Cup with the Clarets will certainly be in his sights this season, alongside the almost certain silverware he will bring to Turf Moor.

The Clarets sit comfortably at the top of the Championship, with a 13-point lead over second place Sheffield United. Vincent Kompany has transformed Burnley after their disappointing relegation from the Premier League last season, showing his tactical knowhow which was perhaps benefitted by three seasons playing under Pep Guardiola.

Both sides arrive in immense form this weekend, with City coming into the game off the back of an astonishing 7-0 Champions League victory in midweek. The current Premier League champions outclassed RB Leipzig in every regard, and will hope to continue their rich vein of form on Saturday.

Manchester City also discovered their fate in the Champions League on Friday morning, after it was revealed that they will host Bayern Munich first in the quarter-finals. Should City progress, they will play the winners of Real Madrid vs Chelsea in the semi-finals of the competition, giving them no room for error in their quest for European success this season.

Pep Guardiola however will be completely focused on the task at hand and will only have his sights set on Burnley. The City manager praised Vincent Kompany and Burnley this week, calling them “a really tough opponent”. Guardiola continued his praise by saying, “They do incredible things on the pitch. They have a good team and the way they play is exceptional.”

Both the manager and players will be under no illusion that the Championship side will be a pushover by any means, and with that being said, here is the line-up we predict Pep Guardiola to field against Burnley.

Predicted XI

We expect Stefan Ortega to keep his place as the Cup keeper and start in goal.

Kyle Walker has not had the easiest time on and off the pitch in recent weeks, but it is he who we predict to start on the right of the Manchester City defence.

John Stones has slotted straight back in following his hamstring injury sustained in this competition back January, we expect him to partner Manuel Akanji in the centre of defence this weekend.

Despite being seemingly out of favour in this side, we predict Aymeric Laporte to complete the back four and start at left-back, giving Nathan Ake a much-needed rest before the International break.

Although he has not properly integrated himself into the Manchester City side yet, we expect Kalvin Phillips to have the chance at proving himself worthy in the defensive midfield role.

Kevin De Bruyne was phenomenal in midweek and looked back to his very best. The Belgian midfielder was at the heart of everything good against RB Leipzig and proved once again how capable he is at performing at the very highest level. We expect De Bruyne to be granted another start against Burnley on Saturday and continue his form.

We predict club captain Ilkay Gundogan to retain his spot in the starting line-up and complete the Manchester City midfield. After a goal and an overall typically stylish performance in midweek, the German international should also be high on confidence, similar to midfield partner Kevin De Bruyne.

After a spell out of the side, we expect a Riyad Mahrez return on the Manchester City right. The Algerian was impressive in the previous round of the cup and will be determined to regain his spot in the team, after a re-emerging Phil Foden is seemingly favoured currently.

A contract extension until 2028 delighted the Manchester City fanbase, as Julian Alvarez put pen to paper during the week. The Argentine has settled nicely in Manchester, and we expect him to lead the line for City on Saturday.

After a rest in midweek, we predict Phil Foden to return back to the starting line-up and complete the City attack.

Starting XI: Ortega; Walker, Stones, Akanji, Laporte; Phillips, De Bruyne, Gundogan; Mahrez, Alvarez, Foden.

Substitutes: Ederson, Lewis, Dias, Ake, Rodri, Bernardo, Palmer, Haaland, Grealish.