Man City vs Bournemouth: Match Preview, Latest Team News and How to Watch | OneFootball

Man City welcome Bournemouth with pressure rising in Premier League chase

The Premier League rarely reads the script, yet here we are, heading into November with Bournemouth positioned as Manchester City’s nearest challengers. Andoni Iraola has taken a side once seen as relegation candidates and turned them into one of the season’s most dynamic units. Four points off the top, second in the table and unbeaten since their opening-day defeat to Liverpool, the Cherries arrive with genuine confidence, not plucky-underdog energy.

City, on the other hand, remain City. They slipped in a 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa last time out, Matty Cash providing the decisive moment that ended a three-match league winning run. Yet history tells us Pep Guardiola’s side rarely drop two in a row, especially at the Etihad where rhythm and relentlessness usually return quickly.

Form and kick off information

Bournemouth’s latest outing, a composed 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest, showcased both defensive maturity and attacking sharpness, with Marcus Tavernier and rising star Eli Kroupi finding the net. Confidence travels well, even if results away from home have not always matched performances.

City host on Sunday 2 November, kick off at 4.30pm GMT, at the Etihad Stadium. In the UK, the fixture is set for Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League coverage, with streaming options available.

Photo: IMAGO

Team situations and selection picture

Squad depth often defines a Premier League season and here City will lean heavily on theirs. “The pair sat out of the 3-1 win over Swansea in the Carabao Cup in midweek, with Guardiola saying that Haaland was nursing a knock, while Rodri is still unavailable after another muscular setback.” Encouragingly for City, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Omar Marmoush featured in that same cup outing, with Marmoush scoring in Erling Haaland’s absence, a timely reminder of squad versatility.

Bournemouth’s only notable concern remains Evanilson, one of their headline summer additions. His absence has been masked by the explosive emergence of Kroupi, who has already scored four goals in six Premier League matches.

Tactical view and prediction

This is not a meeting of juggernaut versus bystander. Iraola’s Bournemouth press with energy, play forward early and have developed patterns that give opponents problems. There is pace, there is intelligence and there is confidence. The preview noted: “Bournemoutn are tricky customers, especially with their attacking options. Fantasy Premier League favourite Antoine Semenyo is in hot form, while Justin Kluivert and Tavernier have the tools to hurt City, especially with Kroupi ahead of them.”

Still, City at home are a different equation. The controlled aggression, the positional discipline and the quality in tight areas tend to overwhelm visiting sides. With Haaland likely returning and a point to prove after Villa, logic points to a City response.

Prediction: Man City 3-1 Bournemouth

Head to head record

Man City wins: 21Bournemouth wins: 1Draws: 2