Early team news: Major name to return for Manchester City vs Bournemouth (Premier League) | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola appears set to welcome back a significant name to his squad for Manchester City’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth on Tuesday night.

The Etihad outfit know full-well that they simply must win in order to reduce the weight of pressure going into the final weekend of the Premier League season, as their place in next season’s UEFA Champions League is yet to be confirmed.

Manchester City must secure a minimum of four points across their final two matches in order to bank a place at the summit of European club football, with Bournemouth their final home match before a visit to Fulham on Sunday afternoon.

Preparations heading into tonight’s clash have been far from ideal, after City were held to a 0-0 draw on the road by an already-relegated Southampton side in their last Premier League match, before losing 1-0 in the FA Cup Final at the hands of Crystal Palace.

As for Bournemouth, and despite an away victory at Arsenal and a home draw with Manchester United, they have had some disappointing results of their own lately including home defeats to Aston Villa and Ipswich Town.

Ahead of the confirmed team news from the Etihad Stadium tonight, some initial information has began to filter throughout social media from journalists and sources regarding Manchester City’s starting line-up.

According to the information of AS’ Aritz Gabilondo, Rodri is set to be included in Manchester City’s matchday squad list for Tuesday night’s all-important Premier League match against Bournemouth.

It is explained that while Guardiola is expected to include the Ballon d’Or winner in his squad for the first time since September, the midfielder is unlikely to start but could see some on-field minutes from the substitute’s bench

Further reporting from the Manchester Evening News’ Joe Bray confirms that Manuel Akanji starts for Manchester City, while Rodri does indeed return to the matchday squad alongside Oscar Bobb and Nathan Ake.

In a long list of absentees, all of Rico Lewis, Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis, James McAtee, Claudio Echeverri, and John Stones are all missing from the teamsheet largely due to Guardiola’s squad list now being at full fitness.

Pep Guardiola and Andoni Iraola are expected to confirmed their respective Manchester City and Bournemouth starting line-ups around 18:45 (UK) on Tuesday night.

Now confirmed.