Sean Dyche is expecting a challenge from Manchester City when Burnley face them
And he doesn’t expect Manchester City to suffer a hangover from a reported row between captain Vincent Kompany and midfielder Fernandinho when they come to Turf Moor on Saturday.
The pair apparently clashed at half-time during City’s defeat at Liverpool at the start of the month and were both left out of the side that beat Leicester 2-0 in their next game.
Kompany is expected to return to lead City against the Clarets as they look to keep leaders Chelsea in view at the top of the Premier League.
And Dyche doesn’t see any potential rift as making life easier for his side, which is without a game in seven Premier League games.
Dyche said: “I think it’s a natural occurrence when you’ve got highly talented, highly motivated people in a working environment that’s very challenging where everyone wants a shirt and everyone wants to play.
Premier League Talking Points - Gameweek 29
“I think there’s a fine group of players there, highly talented, who I’m sure will be highly motivated as they are still in the hunt for the league and still in the Champions League.”
Burnley came from 2-0 to draw with City at the Etihad Stadium at Christmas and need a similar performance to help in their fight against the drop.
Dyche added: “We know the power of these clubs. There’s lots been made of the spending power but you’ve still got to spend it wisely and I think they have.
I think it’s a natural occurrence when you’ve got highly talented, highly motivated people in a working environment that’s very challenging where everyone wants a shirt and everyone wants to play
Sean Dyche
“They have got some fantastic players. We experienced that once before and gave a good performance and I think overall on the day deserved a point.
“But we know that doesn’t guarantee anything this time. They are a highly motivated group of players, still in the hunt with a very experienced and fantastic manager. So obviously it’s a big challenge once again.”
Experienced midfielder Matty Taylor has played in two friendlies for the Clarets as he recovers from an Achilles tendon injury that has kept him out since August.
But the 33-year-old is not yet ready for first-team action and Dyche will not blood new signing Fredrik Ulvestad, 22, after signing the Norwegian midfielder, 22, as a free agent.
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