MANCHESTER CITY v BURNLEY (Saturday, 15.00 GMT):

Despite drawing their last four league games, Manchester City remain fourth in the table. But manager Mark Hughes knows his side cannot be considered genuine top four challengers if they continue to drop points at the rate they have been doing lately.

Had they converted just two of those draws into victories, City would be above Arsenal in third spot. Instead they entertain travel-sick Burnley knowing that victory will lift them level on points with the Gunners (who kick off later in the day at Wolves) - if only for a couple hours.

With the international break looming and a trip to Abu Dhabi for a friendly against the United Arab Emirates next Thursday, Hughes is desperate to head for the sun with three points to show off to the club's billionaire Middle East owners.

"There is an argument we should win the game comfortably," said Hughes. "But it doesn't always pan out like that. Our away form isn't great while our home form is. There is an international break and we want to finish on a high."


Strategy: Surely to win at any cost? City's owners have not invested tens of millions of pounds to see the team become the Premier League's draw specialists. Yet that is exactly what Hughes's side is in danger of becoming.

Although they have not lost on the Premier League stage since Spetember 20, they have not won a game for more than a month after their last four matches ended in stalemate.

Those dropped points could prove costly at the end of the season and a frustrated Hughes is calling on his players to cut out the mistakes and return to winning ways on their first return to Eastlands since allowing a 2-0 lead against Fulham to slip.

Injury update: Despite being named in Brazil's squad for next weekend's friendly international with England, Robinho is a fortnight away from returning to action. The South American has returned to training following a serious ankle injury but is still at least two weeks before he will be playing again, according to Hughes.

Emmanuel Adebayor is poised to spearhead the attack after an ankle problem while Kolo Toure is also available. But there are doubts over Roque Santa Cruz (ankle) and Wayne Bridge (knee).

Having returned to winning ways at the expense of Hull last week, the last thing Owen Coyle and Burnley need is a trip to Eastlands.

It's difficult to put into context the scale of difference in financial terms that exists between these two clubs, but the game isn't played on paper and this is what Coyle will tell his players.

The intimidation factor that can hinder newcomers to the Premier League was banished weeks ago and Coyle's men will certainly not be in awe of their hosts. But the fact remains Burnley have lost every away game this season and scored just two goals in the process, so it is difficult to see Burnley bucking the trend here.

At least they go to Eastlands high on confidence and with several of their leading players in good form. Coyle says: "The fact we have not won away from home yet is not an issue for me. We have continued to shoot ourselves in the foot in some of the games.

"We need to trust each other, be brave and stand up and be counted. You should want to face the best in the business and this is a chance for my players to match up and see how far they can go."

Strategy: Coyle might feel like shutting his eyes for 90 minutes and hoping for the best. At first glance this looks like a mismatch of gigantic proportions, but Burnley have shown little respect for big reputations already this season. Just ask Manchester United and Everton.

The reality is that Burnley have nothing to lose and everything to gain. They should throw caution to the wind and try and take the game to City by making sure their most influential players, Wade Elliott, Robbie Blake and Chris Eagles see plenty of the ball. It goes without saying that Burnley will have to be faultless in defence.

Injury Update: Coyle is still without long-term absentees Martin Paterson (knee), Chris McCann (knee) and Jay Rodriguez (ankle). Goalkeeper Brian Jensen had a painkilling injection in his ankle before facing Hull last week and may be forced to do the same again as the injury continues to trouble him.

Fran Houseman write on behalf of Fanhouse UK