Manchester City continue their Premier League title defence with a home clash against Bournemouth at Etihad Stadium.
Following 2-0 wins over West Ham and Aston Villa respectively on the opening weekend, Man City and Bournemouth know that victory could put them top of the table if results elsewhere go in their favour.
Team News
Man City have no fresh injury concerns after their win at West Ham last weekend as Riyad Mahrez looks for his first start of the season.
Aymeric Laporte remains absent with a knee injury.
Bournemouth have no fresh injury concerns following their win over Aston Villa last weekend, as Ryan Fredericks (calf), Joe Rothwell (quad) and David Brooks (fitness) remain ruled out.
Stat Attack
- Man City have won all ten previous Premier League meetings against Bournemouth (W10).
- Bournemouth have lost all five previous Premier League visits to Man City (L5).
- City have conceded in three of their five previous home matches against Bournemouth in the Premier League, with their clean sheets coming in 4-0 wins in September 2016 and December 2017.
- Rodri has scored in each of City’s last three home matches (W3).
- Dominic Solanke has scored four goals in Bournemouth’s last three away matches.
Prediction
As reigning champions, Man City did incredibly well to weather a tricky opening test at West Ham with a clean sheet as Erling Haaland settled well with his dangerous pace, whilst his teammates were as excellent as usual in forcing errors for Haaland to pounce on.
Bournemouth meanwhile were simply clinical in their win over Villa with excellent organisation during set pieces, whilst they also impressed with their hassling defensive press when off the ball in a more confident return to the top flight than many expected.
City though will be a totally different test for Scott Parker’s Cherries who will have to be pitch perfect in every aspect of their play, otherwise I can see just one result coming if Pep Guardiola’s Citizens quickly get a grip on this game.
Prediction: Manchester City 3-0 Bournemouth
Result: Manchester City 4-0 Bournemouth