Adrian Clarke looks at key tactical points and players who can be decisive in matches following the release of the 2023/24 Premier League fixtures.
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In a fitting twist of fate Vincent Kompany’s first match as a Premier League head coach will be at home to his former club, Manchester City.
Kompany made 45 top-flight appearances as captain under Pep Guardiola between 2016 and 2019, playing a part in their 2017/18 and 2018/19 title triumphs.
He was also team-mates with a number of City’s current squad.
Their reunion at Turf Moor is sure to attract plenty of attention in the build-up to Burnley’s opening fixture, which officially kicks off the 2023/24 season on Friday 11 August.
See: City start at Kompany's Burnley
New-look Clarets
Burnley return to the Premier League almost polar opposite tactically to the side previously coached by Sean Dyche.
Under Kompany, the Clarets are a possession-based team with an attacking philosophy built around great movement and technically skilful players. In the Championship they averaged a 64.6 per cent share of the ball.
Will Burnley need to adapt that style in the Premier League? In certain matches, like this one, it seems inevitable.
While their principles will remain the same, Burnley are likely to set up on the opening weekend with a strong emphasis on their work off the ball, as City are likely to have more possession.
Learning from cup defeat
Kompany received a standing ovation at the Etihad Stadium in March, prior to Burnley’s FA Cup quarter-final.
Although Burnley made a bright start and caused City several problems with their slick football on the counter, from the half-hour point City dominated and went on to record a handsome 6-0 win.
City’s pace proved problematic for Burnley, who struggled to deny them space in behind their back four.
Erling Haaland scored a hat-trick and Julian Alvarez was also on target. Both strikers found the net after sprinting onto through-balls played beyond the last defender.
That humbling defeat will have been an education for Kompany, who will no doubt take lessons from it and adjust his approach accordingly.
Strong home form
A packed Turf Moor under the lights will provide the champions with a good examination on the opening night.
Burnley fans have a strong engagement with Kompany and his team, who made their home stadium a fortress in 2022/23.
The Clarets only conceded 15 goals on home turf in 23 matches and averaged scoring more than two goals per match.
Burnley's home record 2022/23
| 2022/23 | Total |
|---|---|
| Matches | 23 |
| Wins | 16 |
| Draws | 6 |
| Losses | 1 |
| Goals scored | 49 |
| Goals conceded | 15 |
If Burnley can get their gifted wide men on to the ball in advanced areas, they have potential to cause Man City problems.
Anass Zaroury and Benson Manuel are two players whom City will need to keep quiet.
Two more reunions
Burnley’s No 1 goalkeeper Arijanet Muric will be determined to put on a show against his former team.
Muric joined City as a teenager in 2015, playing regularly for their Under-21s and making five first-team appearances in the League Cup.
The Kosovo international was superb last season, keeping 19 clean sheets in 41 appearances.
Just like his opposite number Ederson, the 24-year-old is confident with the ball at his feet and will look to play out from the back.
Kompany’s assistant Craig Bellamy will also be excited by an opening day encounter against his former club.
The Welshman scored 13 goals in 39 Premier League appearances for Man City between 2008 and 2010.
Also in this series
Part 2: Will Pochettino find a winning formula against Liverpool?
Part 3: Arsenal and Man Utd to seek early advantage in title race
