Man City vs Bournemouth Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Manchester City have to quickly bounce back from FA Cup disappointment at the weekend as they welcome top eight chasing AFC Bournemouth to the Etihad Stadium for this midweek.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – USA Network
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – Universo
Man City preview: Saving their season
At the weekend, Manchester City suffered a 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at Wembley Stadium in the final of the 2024/25 FA Cup with England international Eberechi Eze scoring the only goal of the game as City once again struggled to find any fluency or incision in the final third.
City now head into this penultimate game of the Premier League campaign sitting outside of the top five and the UEFA Champions League spots. This is a must win as they take on another side chasing European football, Fulham, on the final day of the campaign.
Bournemouth preview: Cherries chasing Europe
AFC Bournemouth come into this one on the back of a frustrating defeat to Aston Villa at the Vitality Stadium at the weekend with Ollie Watkins scoring the only goal of the game in first-half stoppage-time before Jacob Ramsey was sent then sent off in the 80th minute for the Villains.
The Cherries had been unbeaten in their previous five matches in the Premier League and they still have a chance to earn themselves European qualification this season as they sit two points outside the top eight with a chance to go eighth ahead of the final day of the campaign.
Man City team news: Kovacic should return
Pep Guardiola said he didn’t want to risk Mateo Kovacic in the cup final against Palace and he could be available for this one. He has said that Rodri is getting better in his fitness levels but he still remains unlikely to be available for the visit of Bournemouth.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Ortega; Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Kovacic, Silva; Foden, De Bruyne, Marmoush; Haaland
Unavailable: Stones (Injured), Ake (Injured), Bobb (Injured)
Questionable: Rodri (Fitness), Kovacic (Injured)
Bournemouth team news: Scott a doubt
Andoni Iraola has said that Alex Scott could wear a mask against City after surgery but he has said it will be ‘very difficult’ for him to play this week. They have some confirmed absentees such as Ryan Christie, Luis Sinisterra, Dango Ouattara and Enes Unal.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne; Kamara, Onana; Rogers, Asensio, McGinn; Watkins
Unavailable: Christie (Injured), Sinisterra (Injured), Ouattara (Injured), Unal (Injured)
Questionable: Scott (Injured)
Man City vs Bournemouth prediction
It is set to be Kevin De Bruyne’s final appearance as a Manchester City player at the Etihad Stadium and the Belgium international will want to help his side claim UEFA Champions League qualification after the disappointment of their defeat at the weekend. However, they have often been blunt this season and appear so much easier to slice through in the final third so Bournemouth, a vertical and direct, energetic side, will be confident of at least scoring as they search to do the double over City this season. City remain favourites with home advantage and both teams scoring would appear a good bet at the Etihad.
Man City vs Bournemouth tip: Man City to win & both teams to score
