2019-20 Premier League: Week Three – Bournemouth vs Manchester City

Bournemouth kick off this weekend’s Super Sunday by welcoming Manchester City to the Vitaly Stadium.

Both teams are currently level on four points and victory for either team will see them climb to second in the standing ahead of Tottenham’s clash with Newcastle. 

 

Team news

Bournemouth have no fresh injury concerns as Lewis Cook remains ruled out, despite returning to training this week from a lengthy knee injury.

Dan Gosling (hip), David Brooks (ankle), Simon Francis, Junior Stanislas (both knee), Lloyd Kelly (ankle), Arnaut Danjuma (foot) are also still sidelined for the Cherries.

Manchester City will have Oleksandr Zinchenko available after the Ukrainian struggled with cramp towards the end of their 2-2 draw with Tottenham last weekend.

John Stones (muscle) and Benjamin Mendy (knee) are both sidelined but could be available in coming weeks, whilst Leroy Sane (knee) is ruled out until early next year.

 

Form

Bournemouth enter this match unbeaten in their opening two games with a win and draw against Aston Villa and Sheffield United respectively.

Manchester City also have a win and draw from their opening two matches against West Ham and Tottenham respectively, with Raheem Sterling having netted four goals across those two outings.

 

Stat Attack

• Bournemouth have lost all eight of their Premier League meetings with Manchester City.
• At home, the Cherries have scored just once against City who has netted nine goals in their last four visits to the Vitaly Stadium alone.
• The only draw at the Vitaly Stadium between these teams came in February 1999 in the old Second Division, finishing goalless.
• Coming into this weekend, Raheem Sterling had created four through balls from the opening two rounds which is more than any other player.
• All seven of Man City’s goals so far have come inside the box.

 

Prediction

Despite their injury woes, Bournemouth have played some strong attacking football so far but Man City will provide a tough test of their defence, and if City can continue their strong away form then I can see just one outcome. 

Prediction: Bournemouth 0-3 Manchester City

Result: Bournemouth 1-3 Manchester City