Bournemouth vs Manchester City Preview, Prediction, Team News and Predicted Lineups

Premier League leaders Manchester City travel to the south coast to take on Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon, and we’ve got the latest team news and predicted lineups, as well as a prediction included alongside our match preview.

Bournemouth vs Manchester City Preview

Manchester City face a trip down south as they take on Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, where they’ll be looking to maintain their position at the top of the league table.

The Cityzens recorded a 1-0 win over Southampton in Gameweek 9, with the goal coming courtesy of Erling Haaland, which extended their winning run to five straight matches and maintained their unbeaten record for the campaign.

That record was ended in midweek though, as they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Tottenham in the Carabao Cup fourth round, while their ongoing injury crisis was worsened with a further two concerns adding to their growing absentee list.

Thank you for your brilliant support tonight 🩵

Safe trip home. See you at Bournemouth on Saturday 🔜 pic.twitter.com/omjvu5GjXa

— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 30, 2024

Bournemouth, meanwhile, weren’t in midweek cup action as they were eliminated by West Ham in the second round, but they come into this one off the back of an impressive 1-1 draw away at Aston Villa.

Andoni Iraola’s side looked to be heading for defeat in the West Midlands, but summer signing Evanilson popped up with a crucial late equaliser to snatch a point, following on from their 2-0 win over Arsenal in Gameweek 8.

The Cherries are now in 11th place in the English top-flight table on 12 points, 11 behind City, level on points with both Fulham and Newcastle. A win on Saturday could see them climb as high as eighth if other results go their way too.

Bournemouth Team News

Iraola has just one confirmed absentee for Manchester City‘s visit this weekend, and that’s Alex Scott. The Guernsey-born midfielder has suffered a meniscus tear and is expected to be out for at least six weeks.

Luis Sinisterra, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Philip Billing, meanwhile, could return to the Cherries’ squad after missing out on last weekend’s game through injury and illness.

Manchester City Team News

As for City, as previously mentioned, their injury crisis has worsened, with Manuel Akanji having to withdraw from Wednesday’s lineup after suffering an injury in the warmup, while Savinho was stretchered off in clear distress.

While Akanji is expected to be involved at the Vitality, Savinho joins Kevin De Bruyne (groin), Kyle Walker (knee), Jeremy Doku (unspecified) and Jack Grealish (unspecified) as a major doubt for the trip.

Both Rodri (knee) and Oscar Bobb (leg) are ruled out with long-term injuries.

Bournemouth vs Manchester City Predicted Lineups

Bournemouth Predicted Lineup:

Kepa; Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez; Christie, Cook; Tavernier, Kluivert, Semenyo; Evanilson

Manchester City Predicted Lineup:

Ederson; Lewis, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol; Kovacic; Foden, Silva, Gundogan, Nunes; Haaland

Bournemouth vs Manchester City Prediction

This tie certainly won’t be a walkover for the reigning champions, especially with their depleted squad, but we expect the likes of Haaland, Phil Foden and the in-form Matheus Nunes to step up and secure a vital victory.

City have an incredible record against Bournemouth, having never lost a competitive match to the south coast outfit, winning each of their last 15 meetings, so history is undoubtedly on Pep Guardiola’s side.

We’re backing the Cityzens to extend this record to 16 straight wins against the Cherries on Saturday, and so are the UK’s best football betting sites, who are heavily favouring a victory for the away side at the Vitality.

Prediction: Bournemouth 1-3 Manchester City