High-flying Bournemouth offer another tough test for City | OneFootball

Manchester City host high-flying Bournemouth on Sunday as two of Europe’s top managers, Pep Guardiola and Andoni Iraola, prepare to do battle.

City playing catch up

City’s defeat to Aston Villa last Sunday meant that Guardiola’s side drifted to six points behind Arsenal, who look intent on claiming their first title in over two decades. That gap increased to nine points after the league leaders cruised to victory at relegation candidates Burnley. Playing their game in hand, City have a tough test up closing the gap against an ambitious Bournemouth.

Still early days but the growing point divide threatens to thwart the Blues’ hopes of reclaiming the Premier League crown. Guardiola is wary of allowing Mikel Arteta’s side to get too far ahead and the Catalan insisted: “We have to try to be close.”

The Cherries the pick of the chasing bunch

Arsenal are out in front at the top of the Premier League table. Unexpectedly, it is Bournemouth who led the chasing pack going into the weekend. The Cherries recorded their best ever league finish last season, in ninth place, but few would have expected their progression to continue this campaign – especially after the summer raid which took place. Ilya Zabarnyi, Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez were snapped up by PSG, Real Madrid and Liverpool respectively, leaving Bournemouth without three of their starting back four. Despite this, Iraola’s side have been unfazed by the departures. After their best-ever start they are unbeaten since a narrow loss on the opening night of the season.

Scintillating Semenyo

Bournemouth’s talisman has undoubtedly been Antoine Semenyo. The Ghanian impressed last season and the Cherries were delighted when he penned a contract extension in the summer. His scintillating form has seen him go to another level this year. Recording six goals and three assists in the first nine matches, only Erling Haaland has scored more than Semenyo in the opening weeks. The winger was on target as Iraola’s side recorded their first ever victory over City last season, and he will be the man to stop again.

Kroupi one to watch

Semenyo is not the only attacker that will be intent on causing City problems this Sunday. Perhaps slightly lesser known, Eli Junior Kroupi has exploded into form in recent weeks. The 19-year-old has started just twice so far for Iraola but has netted four times in their last three league matches. The Frenchman is no stranger to finding the back of the net – he scored 22 times for FC Lorient last campaign. The Cherries were able to recruit the talent for just £10million, despite West Ham offering more than triple that fee. Bournemouth were almost certainly aided at the negotiating table by their owner also holding shares in Lorient. Whatever the circumstances, Kroupi has now landed on the south coast, and the young forward has hit the ground running.

Foden’s double century

After a wholly underwhelming year, Phil Foden has started to return to form for City this season. Although he has not been scoring an abundance of goals and assists, his influence on matches has been clearly visible. The 25-year-old is expected to make his 200th appearance for the Blues on Sunday, where he will look to continue raising his performance levels. It could be the attacker’s last chance to impress Thomas Tuchel ahead of the England manager naming his latest squad next week. Foden has been absent from the last three squads and will desperately want to get back into the mix – especially with the World Cup fast approaching.