Manchester City aims to continue their winning streak, hoping to make it four consecutive wins across all competitions. Meanwhile, Bournemouth is looking to bounce back after their EFL Cup fourth-round exit to Liverpool earlier in the week. Before the 191st Manchester derby last Sunday, Pep Guardiola acknowledged that Manchester United is always a formidable opponent.
However, Guardiola's Man City side managed to secure a dominant 3-0 victory over Erik ten Hag's team, ending October on a high note. Just two days before Halloween, the Citizens gave their rivals, the Red Devils, a real fright and left Old Trafford with a well-deserved treat. Erling Haaland scored a brace, and local talent Phil Foden added another goal, securing an impressive victory for the reigning champions.
Recent wins against Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion have put Manchester City back on track in their pursuit of a record fourth consecutive Premier League title. This resurgence followed a minor dip in form before the October international break. However, Guardiola's team still trails leaders Tottenham Hotspur by two points. Tottenham will face Chelsea on Monday.
Manchester City looks forward to returning to the Etihad this weekend, where they have won all 14 Premier League home matches in 2023. They've also emerged victorious in their last 21 home games across all competitions, setting a record for an English team in the Premier League era.
Additionally, Manchester City boasts a perfect record against Bournemouth in their 12 previous Premier League home meetings. This exceptional 100% record against an opponent includes a resounding 4-0 victory last season. Therefore, Guardiola and his team are understandably confident about their chances of securing another three points on Saturday.
On the other hand, Bournemouth struggled with six defeats and three draws in their first nine Premier League matches. They finally clinched their first top-flight win of the season when they defeated Burnley 2-1 at the Vitality Stadium last weekend. Antoine Semenyo canceled out Charlie Taylor's early goal, and Philip Billing completed the comeback with a spectacular 40-yard lob in the 76th minute.
The three points from the Burnley match lifted Bournemouth out of the relegation zone to 17th place. However, head coach Andoni Iraola is under pressure to maintain a positive run of form to keep the club clear of the drop zone. Bournemouth is only one point above the bottom three and four points behind both Everton and Nottingham Forest in 15th and 16th places, respectively.
Just four days after their victory against Burnley, Bournemouth faced Liverpool in the EFL Cup and ended up on the wrong side of a 2-1 scoreline. A stunning Darwin Nunez strike sealed the victory for Liverpool after Justin Kluivert had canceled out Cody Gakpo's opener with his first goal for Bournemouth.
Bournemouth's chances of winning against Manchester City on Saturday are not very promising. They have not won any of their last 18 league encounters with Man City, conceding 48 goals in the process. Additionally, they have only won four of their 15 away league matches in 2023.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
Manchester City will still be missing their playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, who is in the process of recovering from a long-term hamstring injury. However, Manuel Akanji is back in contention after serving a one-match suspension in the previous weekend.Following Bernardo Silva's exceptional performance in the center of midfield against Manchester United, Pep Guardiola might decide to stick with the Portuguese alongside Rodri. Alternatively, Guardiola could shift him to the right flank, potentially replacing Phil Foden, with defender John Stones taking on a more hybrid midfield role. Other options in contention to start include Mateo Kovacic, Matheus Nunes, and Kalvin Phillips.
Jeremy Doku might get the nod ahead of Jack Grealish on the left wing, while Julian Alvarez is expected to continue supporting Erling Haaland in the attack. Haaland leads the Premier League scoring charts with 11 goals in just 10 games.
For Bournemouth, Lewis Cook will be unavailable for the second of his three-match suspension. Additionally, Neto (ankle), Tyler Adams (thigh), Ryan Fredericks (calf), and Emiliano Marcondes (foot) are sidelined due to injuries. Darren Randolph is doubtful due to illness.
Mark Travers, who was recently recalled from his loan spell at Stoke City due to Neto's injury, was cup-tied in the midweek game but is now available to compete with Ionut Radu for a starting position in goal on Saturday.
In defense, Max Aarons and Lloyd Kelly are expected to return to the starting lineup, likely replacing Adam Smith and Chris Mepham. Kluivert will be hoping to retain his place on the left flank after making a positive impression against Liverpool.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Manchester City possible starting lineup:Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Ake; Rodri, Kovacic; Bernardo, Alvarez, Doku; Haaland
Bournemouth possible starting lineup:
Radu; Aarons, Zabarnyi, Kelly, Kerkez; Scott, Billing; Semenyo, Christie, Kluivert; Solanke
EXPERT PREDICTION
Manchester City 5-1 AFC Bournemouth
Bournemouth has managed to keep only one clean sheet in their previous 15 Premier League matches, and it seems they might face challenges in containing the high-scoring Manchester City team. The Citizens have netted eight goals in their last three games since the international break, highlighting their formidable offensive prowess.
