Bournemouth vs Man City: H2H, Team news, Predicted lineup and Match Preview
Bournemouth will be hosting Manchester City at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at 17:30 UTC for Round 26 of the Premier League.
Bournemouth Form
Occupying the 13th position in the Premier League standings, Bournemouth currently enjoys a relatively secure position, holding an eight-point buffer from the relegation zone. Despite the team's journey this season being filled with complexities, including the controversial departure of manager Gary O'Neil in the summer, the appointment of the highly sought-after emerging manager Andoni Iraola from La Liga brought renewed optimism to the club. Despite a challenging start marked by poor results, Bournemouth has displayed improvement in recent months, aligning more closely with the expectations set at the beginning of the campaign.
Although Bournemouth has not secured a victory in their last six Premier League matches, they have demonstrated commendable character and quality, deserving more points during this period. The most recent game against Newcastle United concluded in a frustrating 2-2 draw, with former player Matt Ritchie salvaging a late equalizer for Newcastle after Dominic Solanke and Antoine Semenyo had given Iraola's team a 2-1 lead heading into stoppage time. Leading the offensive for Bournemouth is the prolific striker Solanke, whose impressive tally of 14 goals, with 13 from open play (joint-highest in the league), highlights his crucial role in the team. Solanke's versatility and goal-scoring abilities make him a formidable threat in Bournemouth's attacking lineup, and he is eager to showcase his talents against Manchester City, especially with an eye on securing a spot in Gareth Southgate's England squad in March.
However, Bournemouth has a challenging history against Manchester City, having suffered defeat in all fourteen encounters since their promotion to the Premier League. With just eight goals scored against City and a substantial forty-six conceded over that period, Bournemouth faces a formidable task as they aim to reverse their fortunes against the reigning champions.
Manchester City Form
Conversely, Manchester City steps into the match positioned 2nd in the league standings, firmly engaged in the title race alongside Arsenal and Liverpool. Guided by manager Pep Guardiola, the Citizens have navigated a season marked by highs and lows, showcasing moments of brilliance interspersed with occasional inconsistencies.
Despite intermittent fluctuations in performance, Manchester City continues to stand as a formidable presence in English and European football, evident in their impressive undefeated streak of 16 games across all competitions. The recent 1-0 triumph over Brentford highlighted City's resilience and their capacity to secure results even on days when their performance may not be at its peak. While star striker Erling Haaland has experienced a slight dip in form, missing significant opportunities in crucial moments in recent matches, his decisive goal against Brentford served as a timely reminder of his undeniable talent.
Crucial contributors like Phil Foden and Rodri have played pivotal roles in City's recent triumphs, offering control and delivering decisive moments on the field. With the title race intensifying, Guardiola's team is keen on sustaining their momentum and securing maximum points against Bournemouth.
Head to Head
Bournemouth and Manchester City have faced each other 14 times, with Bournemouth securing victory in none of the encounters, while Manchester City emerged victorious in all 14 meetings. None of the matches between Bournemouth and Manchester City concluded in a draw.
In the Premier League fixture on November 4, 2023, corresponding to match day 11, Manchester City emerged victorious, defeating Bournemouth 6-1.
Team news
Philip Billing is out due to suspension, and there's uncertainty regarding Romain Faivre's availability. Tyler Adams, a summer acquisition, has not participated in any matches for the club as he strives to recover from a prolonged injury. Additionally, Max Aarons, Ryan Fredericks, and James Hill are undergoing treatment, adding to the injury concerns for the Cherries in this upcoming match.
City's roster lacks only Joško Gvardiol and Jack Grealish. Kevin De Bruyne, who remained on the bench throughout the Brentford match, reportedly dealt with a minor hamstring concern, as mentioned by Pep Guardiola. While Guardiola assured it's not a major issue, there is a suggestion that De Bruyne's involvement in this game might be somewhat limited compared to his usual starting role.
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Predicted Lineup
Bournemouth possible lineup:
Neto, Adam Smith, Ilya Zabarnyi, Marcos Senesi, Lloyd Kelly, Lewis Cook, Ryan Christie, Marcus Tavernier, Justin Kluivert, Antoine Semenyo, Dominic Solanke.
Manchester City possible lineup:
Ederson, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Oscar Bobb, Julián Álvarez, Phil Foden, Erling Haaland.
Bournemouth vs Manchester City Prediction
In our analysis and prediction for the upcoming Bournemouth vs. Manchester City clash, we envision a compelling scenario where the away side emerges triumphant. This projection suggests a closely contested match with Manchester City ultimately securing a narrow but decisive victory.