Manchester City will look to close the gap on Liverpool when they visit Bournemouth. The two clubs square up for the first time since the Citizens easily defeated the Cherries 6-1.
Preview (Bournemouth vs. Manchester City)
Following the crushing loss at the Etihad, Bournemouth enjoyed a winning streak at the close of the previous season. They won six of their final seven league games until Boxing Day. But since then, the Cherries have lost all six of their games in the top division. They have yet to see success in 2024. Last weekend at St James’ Park, Andoni Iraola’s team was looking to win all three points. Goals from Antoine Semenyo and Dominic Solanke put them ahead 2-1 just before stoppage time. However, Matt Ritchie, a former Cherries winger, came off the bench in the 92nd minute to equalize.
Since the start of the season, only Burnley (two) has accrued fewer points than Bournemouth (three). Although their pursuit of a top-half finish has grown increasingly challenging. There are no immediate concerns about going down as they currently sit in 13th place. They are eight points clear of the bottom three. Even though Bournemouth has struggled to win games, Iraola’s team has not had any trouble scoring goals. In the last 16 league games, they have scored at least once, totaling 28 goals. The lone loss came last month at home against leaders Liverpool, when they lost 4-0.
In an attempt to snap their 19-game league winless record against Man City—the longest such run without a victory against a rival in English Football League history—Bournemouth will look to create waves once more on Saturday. Tuesday night’s narrow 1-0 home triumph over a determined Brentford team had Man City to strive for all three points, three days after they narrowly avoided a 1-1 draw with Chelsea.
Team News
Tyler Adams, Max Aarons (both thigh), Ryan Fredericks (calf), James Hill (ankle), and Darren Randolph (sickness) remain sidelined for Bournemouth, and Romain Faivre (who is doubtful for Man City’s visit) missed last weekend’s trip to St James’ Park due to illness. Alex Scott battles Justin Kluivert for a starting position in the number 10 position. Ryan Christie and Lewis Cook may be able to hold onto their midfield positions. Philip Billing serves the last game of his three-match suspension this weekend. Marcus Tavernier or Semenyo might be replaced on the wings by Luis Sinisterra, who scored at the Etihad earlier this season. Solanke will lead the line and want to record his 15th league goal of the season.
Regarding Man City, injuries to Jack Grealish (muscle) and Josko Gvardiol (ankle) will keep them out of action, and Kevin De Bruyne will have his hamstring problem evaluated before kickoff after not being risked during the week. Guardiola would be tempted to start with the same four-man defense against Brentford, considering the Citizens only managed to keep a clean sheet in their last fifteen league games; however, Nathan Ake and academy graduate Rico Lewis will be vying for starting positions against their old team. Oscar Bobb may start on the left flank in place of Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes, who will be vying for a recall to central midfield.
Bournemouth 1-3 Manchester City
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