What to Watch For: Citizens Prepare for Bournemouth Clash

(Photo credit should read LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP/Getty Images) /

After a 4-0 midweek victory at home vs Borussia Monchengladbach, Manchester City switch their attention back to the Barclays Premier League where they host A.F.C. Bournemouth at the Etihad on Saturday.

Pep Guardiola‘s squad currently sit in the top spot in the Premier League, going unbeaten in their first four matches. They are coming off a 2-1 victory last Saturday in the 172nd Manchester Derby at Old Trafford over Manchester United.

Eddie Howe‘s Bournemouth currently sit in 14th place with four points from their opening four matches. They earned their first win of the season last Saturday vs West Bromwich Albion 1-0, thanks to a late winner by striker Callum Wilson. This will be an interesting test for Guardiola’s side after coming off a match midweek. Originally Manchester City were supposed to face Gladbach on Tuesday but the match was postponed, and moved to Wednesday after inclement weather. However, Guardiola’s instant impact at Manchester City hasn’t gone un-noticed by his colleagues. According to the Daily Mail, Eddie Howe is “impressed” with Guardiola’s start at Manchester City after joining this summer.

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With one less day of rest, we will see if Guardiola sticks with a lot of his regulars for Saturday’s match or if he freshens up the starting 11.

Sergio Aguero will not be able to feature on Saturday as he will be serving the second match of a three-match ban he picked up after elbowing West Ham‘s Winston Reid in City’s 3-1 win on August 31st. This could mean that youngster Kelechi Iheanacho will step in as the main forward. Iheanacho, 19, scored the winner at Old Trafford last weekend and also tallied a City’s fourth goal vs Gladbach on Wednesday.

Ilkay Gundogan made his City debut on Wednesday while Leroy Sane also appeared off the bench and assisted on Iheanacho’s tally. Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva have been two main components to City’s aggressive attacking style under Guardiola and will be counted on heavily against on Saturday.

Bournemouth were a surprise story last season, finishing 16th in their first ever season in the top-flight of England. They enjoyed victories over Chelsea, Manchester United, Southampton, and Crystal Palace under Eddie Howe. What was an even better story was the fact Bournemouth stayed up after two of their top players missed most of the season, Max Gradel and Callum Wilson.

Both players are back and fit this season, and have a ton of talent go around them. Arsenal‘s Jack Wilshere was acquired via loan just before the transfer deadline day ended. Jordan Ibe joined from Liverpool and brings pace and raw skill down the flanks. Harry Arter and Andrew Surman provide grit and aggressiveness in midfield, while the back-four have started every game together so far this season. Artur Boruc is a veteran goalkeeper that has been around the Premier League before.

In this fixture last season, Manchester City won 5-1 behind a Raheem Sterling hat-trick. I feel that City overall have the better skill of players but Bournemouth have the “never say die” attitude which smaller clubs normally have.

Here are three things to watch for in Saturday’s match.

1) Look for the Stones-Otamendi duo to keep track of Callum Wilson.
Callum Wilson is one of the underrated forwards in all of England, period. He is 24-years-old and tallied 23 goals in all competitions for Bournemouth in 2014-15. He was one of the main reasons Bournemouth were promoted to the top-flight and he has very good skill. After missing most of last season, Wilson is hungry and looking to show the big clubs what he can do. I feel that if Manchester City want to keep Bournemouth off the scoreboard then either John Stones or Nicolas Otamendi will have to keep a very close eye on Bournemouth’s main man.

2) Ilkay Gundogan needs to be in the starting 11!
Much was made when Gundogan was signed in the summer from Borussia Dortmund. The 25-year-old German international is a top talent and I feel can become even better under Pep Guardiola. On Wednesday, Gundogan made his Manchester City debut against a familiar foe from his time in the Bundesliga. He won an important penalty for City, had two shots on target and had a 89% completion passing rate. I feel he has the ability to sit just underneath Sergio Aguero and help the midfield gain possession and force pressure on the opposing back-lines.

3) Kelechi Iheanacho needs to prove he can score on a regular basis.
After tallying 14 goals in 35 matches last season in all competitions, Kelechi Iheanacho put his name out there as a dangerous threat offensively. The youngster’s goal on Saturday was the winner against their biggest rivals, plus he added a late goal in a substitute appearance on Wednesday. Kelechi has all the tools to be a top striker in England and with Sergio Aguero serving his suspension, he can show Guardiola that he is available when called on to get his team goals.

Next: Man City player ratings: Aguero shines, Gundogan debuts in UCL rout

Score Prediction:

My prediction for Saturday sees Manchester City win 4-0 at the Etihad with Kevin De Bruyne netting two goals and Raheem Sterling and Kelechi Iheanacho each scoring a goal apiece. When it comes down to pure talent, Manchester City are miles farther than Bournemouth.

What to Watch For: Citizens Prepare for Bournemouth Clash

By Larry Henry | Sep 15, 2016

Score Prediction:

MANCHESTER CITY: TOP 13 GOAL SCORERS OF ALL-TIME