Kick-off: 1730, 25/02/2023
Stadium: Vitality Stadium
TV: Sky Sports
Manchester City have won their last 12 meetings with Bournemouth, including a 4-0 Premier League stroll early on this season.
The Blues should continue that dominance, although Pep Guardiola may need to make changes after sticking with the same XI throughout Wednesday’s Champions League clash with RB Leipzig.
We like 3/1 for an away win by exactly two goals as our first Bournemouth vs Man City prediction.
Cherries buoyed by Molineux win
Bournemouth remain favourites in the relegation odds, despite giving their survival hopes a much-needed boost when winning 1-0 at Wolves.
Marcus Tavernier, making his first start since November after overcoming a hamstring injury, guided in a Dominic Solanke cross off his thigh in the 49th minute.
Wanderers dominated for long periods but struggled to create clear-cut chances and the Cherries defended stoutly to claim a first win in eight Premier League games.
“The boys will fight,” said Gary O’Neil. “They’re an incredible group and I’ve said that since the day I started.
“They enjoyed the win because they have been working so hard the last few weeks. I’ve been telling them it was coming.
“They have a real belief in the group we can cause teams problems. I am delighted for them, but it’s a big game next week.”
It does feel a little bit of a shame that Bournemouth must follow such a fillip with games against City, Arsenal and Liverpool.
The Cherries had only scored two goals in seven previous league matches and 21/20 for an away win to nil appeals from the Bournemouth vs Man City odds.
Last Bournemouth line-up: Neto, Stephens, Smith, Senesi, Zemura, Lerma, Ouattara, Tavernier, Traore, Billing, Solanke.
Bournemouth will be without Tavernier due to a hamstring problem. He will join Lloyd Kelly, Illia Zabarnyi, Lewis Cook and David Brooks on the sidelines.
Watch out for fresh Foden
City seemed to have taken control of the title race when winning 3-1 at Arsenal but slipped up straight after with a 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest.
The Blues let another lead slip when returning from Leipzig with the same scoreline in midweek.
Riyad Mahrez’s 27th-minute strike was the sole reward for their total supremacy in the opening period.
The second half was a different affair, with chances at both ends, and Josko Gvardiol’s header 20 minutes from time restored parity.
Guardiola strode onto the pitch at the final whistle and spoke to his players in a huddle, later saying: “Their heads were down. I said ‘why are your heads down?’
“I said ‘get your heads up – it was really good. If people don’t like it, it doesn’t matter. You played the game you should play’.”
He added: “We have had four games in 10 days and the Arsenal one was really tough. We have had injured players and I am so delighted with the game we have played.”
Kevin De Bruyne and Aymeric Laporte were both ruled out of that game by illness, but it was surprising to see Phil Foden stay on the bench throughout.
The 22-year-old could come back in here and has netted in City’s last couple of encounters with the Cherries.
Let’s add 9/2 for the England international to break the deadlock to our Bournemouth vs Man City betting tips.
Last City line-up: Ederson, Dias, Ake, Akanji, Gundogan, Rodri, Silva, Mahrez, Walker, Haaland, Grealish.
De Bruyne remains doubtful for City, while Laporte (also ill) and John Stones (thigh) were all but ruled out.
Additional stats
Player statistic
| 15' |  |
Julián Álvarez | ||
| 29' | |
Erling Haaland (Assist: Phil Foden) | ||
| 45' | |
Phil Foden | ||
| Dango Ouattara |  |
48' | ||
| Chris Mepham |  |
51' | ||
| Chris Mepham | |
58' | ||
| 60' | |
Kalvin Phillips | ||
| 63' | |
Manuel Akanji | ||
| Jefferson Lerma | |
83' |
Match statistic
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