Bournemouth vs Manchester City – Match preview and team news

The Football Faithful

·2 November 2024

Bournemouth vs Manchester City – Match preview and team news

Bournemouth welcome Manchester City to the South Coast this weekend as two Spaniards face each other in the dugout.

Andoni Iraola’s side earned a point in the dying embers last Saturday, as Evanilson’s deft header restored parity with Aston Villa.

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Manchester City will be reeling after getting dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Tottenham in midweek and they’ll be looking to bounce back against the Cherries.

Bournemouth ‘keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga will likely be unavailable again as he continues to recover from a muscular injury, whilst attacking midfielder Alex Scott has begun his recovery following surgery on his meniscus.

Pep Guardiola won’t have Savinho at his disposal this weekend after the 20-year-old was stretchered off in their game against Spurs with an ankle injury.

The Brazilian is another addition to the ever-growing list of injuries in the City squad, especially on the flanks, as Savinho joins Jack Grealish, Oscar Bobb and Jeremy Doku on the sidelines.

Bournemouth vs Manchester City – Match preview and team news

Form

Bournemouth: LWLWD

The Cherries have delivered some resolute performances over the last fortnight to pick up some impressive results.

They were the first team to defeat Arsenal this season as they triumphed 2-0 on the South Coast, albeit with a player advantage for the majority of the contest.

That result, coupled with their valuable point on the road to Aston Villa, has signified a productive few weeks for Andoni Iraola and his players.

Their narrow defeat to Leicester is the only blemish on what was otherwise a very positive October.

Manchester City: WWWWL

City’s unbeaten run came to an end on Wednesday evening as Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham knocked them out of the Carabao Cup.

Timo Werner’s first-time finish following a brisk counterattack and Pape Matar Sarr’s curling effort put Guardiola’s men 2-0 down inside the opening 30 minutes.

Matheus Nunes pulled one back with virtually the last kick of the first period but City could not find an equaliser and exited the competition.

However, the Citizens’ invincibility in the league remains intact and they will be looking to preserve that, and their status at the top of the table, at the Vitality Stadium.

Last Meeting: Bournemouth 0-1 Manchester City, Premier League, 24th February 2024.

A first-half strike from PFA Player of the Year Phil Foden was enough to separate the two sides back in February.

Bournemouth stopper Neto could only parry Erling Haaland’s effort into the path of the Foden, who made no mistake to tap home the winner.

Besides the decisive moment, it was a dull affair on the South Coast with the visitors having a rare off-day offensively.

The hosts desperately searched for a priceless equaliser and City goalkeeper Ederson was called into action on a few occasions, but the Bournemouth attack was wasteful.

Guardiola’s men claimed three vital points in their pursuit of a fourth successive Premier League title.

Predicted Lineups

Bournemouth: Travers; Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez; Christie, Cook; Tavernier, Kluivert, Semenyo, Evanilson

Manchester City: Ederson; Stones, Dias, Gvardiol; Lewis, Kovacic; Foden, Silva, Gundogan, Nunes; Haaland.

Who is the referee?

Michael Oliver will be the match official. He will be assisted by Simon Long and Craig Taylor while Andrew Kitchen will be the fourth official. The VAR will be Graham Scott and he will be assisted by Sian Massey-Ellis.