Danny Ings vs. Vincent Kompany: Breaking Down the Burnley vs. Man City Battle

Saturday’s early evening match between Burnley and Manchester City could well turn out to be an intriguing affair.

When the two sides met at the Etihad Stadium earlier in the season, the game finished 2-2, with City throwing away a two-goal lead. It was a fair reflection of the 90 minutes. Burnley caused City an array of problems, particularly in the second half, with the movement of Danny Ings hugely problematic for the Blues’ back four.

And with Vincent Kompany struggling for form, if the Belgium defender does play—which is far from certain, given he was dropped for the win over Leicester City—his is an area Burnley will be looking to exploit once more.

Anyone who has watched Ings closely this season will be aware of his quality. In Burnley’s recent defeat against Manchester United, Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans were added to a long list of centre-backs the Clarets forward has given the runaround. He is quick, which makes things uncomfortable for defenders, but it’s his general sharpness and speed of thought that make him such a problem player.

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He is constantly on the move, looking to make runs in behind defenders one minute, dropping deep to collect the ball between the lines the next. It’s that kind of intelligent movement that gave Eliaquim Mangala and Martin Demichelis such an uncomfortable afternoon back in December and what Kompany, if selected, must guard against on Saturday.

Kompany’s recent problems stem from his rashness, both in the tackle and positionally. He has too often been dragged out of position into dangerous areas, leaving behind gaps that his team-mates are expected to cover. The movement of Ings is exactly the kind he has been struggling to defend against.

Manuel Pellegrini’s decision to drop Kompany for the game with Leicester was hardly a surprise, given his poor form, and it would surely have been his intention to give his captain an extended break from the team and with it an opportunity to refocus and return closer to his usually high level.

However, with Barcelona next up, a huge game in City’s season, Pellegrini would ideally want Kompany, who is the club’s best defender on his day, in the side. The looming spectre of the second leg against the Spanish side may well see him return quicker than first expected.

One thing we’re almost guaranteed in the Burnley game is goals. In the last three Premier League meetings between the two, 17 have been scored.

For Kompany, or whoever plays at centre-half for City, to make sure none are conceded this time, shackling Ings is vital. His partner, Ashley Barnes, is also a handful, and the running power of George Boyd on the right poses an additional threat.

Burnley may be running out of steam, but they could still cause City problems on Saturday.

Kompany has been far from his best this campaign, but this week provides him with an opportunity to turn his season around in two huge games. There's so little room for failure now that only a string of wins will do. Five points behind Chelsea, who have a game in hand, and behind going into the second leg against Barcelona, it's time City put a run of form together that suggests they can win more silverware this season.

Kompany's form will be central to that. City need their captain at his best.

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2014-15 season. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter: @RobPollard.