Bournemouth vs Manchester City Preview & Betting Tips - One-sided EPL contest predicted

The defending champions are itching to extend their unbeaten run in the English Premier League to ten games by sweeping Bournemouth aside at the Vitality Stadium this Saturday.  

Manchester City have dominated this fixture as they have won all Premier League encounters with Bournemouth. 

The two clubs have clashed 13 times in the top flight, and the Cherries have never emerged victorious. When these two sides met at the Etihad Stadium earlier this season, City walloped Bournemouth 6-1.

The hosts will rely on their talisman, Dominic Solanke, for goals in this match. The 26-year-old has scored 14 goals and nabbed three assists in 24 games. He will receive attacking support from Marcus Tavernier, Justin Kluivert, and Antoine Semenyo. The trio has an aggregate of nine goals and five assists between them.

Midfielders Lewis Cook and Ryan Christie will play a pivotal role in this match, as they will have to assist their defense to keep the prolific Manchester City attack at bay. The duo have to win the crucial duels and tackles in the middle third to break the visitor’s momentum and probably even start a counterattack.

Bournemouth have scored six goals from set pieces, half of which were scored by Marcos Senesi. The center-back will be a threat during corners but will have to track back at full speed to stop the Manchester City counterattacks. His partner in defense, Iliia Zabarnyi, will help thwart the prolific Erling Haaland.

Manchester City will have an almost full-strength squad available for this encounter. Jack Grealish and Josko Gvardiol are the only two players on the sidelines. However, fatigue will play a huge part in the match against Bournemouth because the defending champions were in action on Wednesday against Brentford.

In the last match, Pep Guardiola made three changes to his starting lineup, as Oscar Bobb got his first Premier League start for City on the left flank. Kevin De Bruyne, Nathan Ake, and Jeremy Doku were all rested. The trio is now expected to be in the starting lineup against Bournemouth, with the league’s leading scorer, Haaland, leading the attack. 

This match is expected to be completely one-sided. In the past, it has always been one-sided, as Bournemouth have never beaten Manchester City in the top flight. At the same time, this is not a do-or-die fixture for the hosts since they are eight points away from the relegation battle.

On the other hand, Manchester City cannot afford to fall further behind Liverpool and are aiming for a fourth consecutive title win. Hence, the visitors are the clear favourites in this match.