Statistics spell out Burnley’s monumental task against Man City as Vincent Kompany makes Premier League history

Burnley are set to take on Manchester City in the Premier League’s opening game of the 2023/24 season.

The Clarets dominated the Championship to seal an instant return to the top-flight, but they face a monumental task first up against the current champions and treble holders.

Vincent Kompany is ready for his first season as a Premier League managerGetty

This will also be Vincent Kompany’s first game as a Premier League manager, and it comes against his former side.

No matter what the result, the City legend will make history by becoming the first Belgian to manage a top-flight club.

However, no former Clarets boss has ever won their first game in the Premier League, so he will be out to change that live and exclusively on talkSPORT.

Kompany surprised many people last year with his possession-based style of football.

Neil Warnock described the Clarets as the ‘best side‘ he had seen in the Championship, and though a couple of key players have returned to their parent clubs, the Lancashire-based team have been busy in the transfer market.

Out of the three promoted sides, Burnley look to be the best bet to stay up.

But their recent record against Man City is horrible.

Erling Haaland has played one game against Burnley – he scored a hat-trickGetty

Burnley have won just one of their last 23 league meetings with City.

Of these, the Citizens have won 16 and have recorded eight straight league victories.

Basically, since Pep Guardiola arrived, City have demolished Burnley and boast an aggregate score of 26-1.

Things don’t get much better when you take the cup competitions into account.

The Premier League champions have won the last 11 matches and have scored 40 goals, conceding just once.

They last met in the FA Cup earlier this year, and City won 6-0 at the Etihad, with Erling Haaland bagging a hat-trick.

Pep Guardiola knows Kompany from their time working at CityGetty

So the statistics suggest Burnley are going to struggle but they have a couple of things in their advantage.

Turf Moor will be rocking because Clarets fans have confidence in their team, it’s going to be played under the lights and it’s the first match of the season.

Kompany’s style of football should cause his old club some problems, and City do sometimes start slow, so it’s all set up for a fascinating encounter, as finally, the Premier League returns.