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Bournemouth will welcome Manchester City to the Vitality Stadium for this crunch fixture. The Cherries have been excellent this term in their own little way, while the Citizens remain the team to beat for in the 2024-25 season.

Bournemouth reached their highest point tally ever last season and manager Andoni Iraola is keen to see his side maintain that status or go even a bit further. On the other hand, Manchester City do not need any introduction as they have dominated the Premier League in the past four seasons and are aiming for a fifth crown in a row.

Prior to the start of the season, Bournemouth did some tidy business before the new season began. Since the end of last season, the Cherries kept a number of their established squad members for further seasons. Manager Iraola also signed a contract extension that will keep him at the Premier League club until the end of the 2025-26 season. Defensive midfielder Lewis Cook also signed a new contract that will keep him at Vitality Stadium until 2028, while Antoine Semenyo signed a new five-year contract with the Cherries. In addition to the renewals, the side signed Luis Sinistera permanently from Leeds United for €23.40m, Enes Ünal also made his initial loan move from Getafe permanent in a deal worth €16.50m, goalkeeper Alex Paulsen and forward Daniel Jebbison arrived from Wellington and Sheffield United respectively.

In terms of the departures, the Cherries have seen a couple of players leave the club. Kieffer Moore left for Sheffield United, Lloyd Kelly moved to Newcastle United on a free transfer, while the likes of Darren Randolph, Ryan Fredericks, and Emiliano Marcondes were released by the club. Just before the transfer windows were shut, striker Dominic Solanke moved to North London to pitch his tent with Tottenham. 

As of the time of writing, Bournemouth have won just one game in the Premier League this season and they have already lost to Liverpool and Brentford in their first five games of the season. Here is another tough game against a side they have lost to on 15 consecutive occasions across all competitions. 

The champions did not make a lot of changes to their squad in the summer. So many expected them to keep using almost the same squad this term until a few additions just before the season got underway. 

At first, Manchester City's only signing was Savinho who arrived from French club Troyes. The youngster did not make any appearances for them as he made his breakthrough at Girona while on loan last season. He finished the campaign with 11 goals and 10 assists to help the Spanish side reach the UEFA Champions League for the first time in their 94-year history. With his move to the Premier League, the 20-year-old became the first player to climb to the top of the City Football Group pyramid. Former skipper Ilkay Gundogan returned to the club after a bittersweet time at Barcelona in Spain.

Some of the players who were away on loan last season returned to the club and a number of them left before this game. In terms of departures, the likes of Tommy Doyle and Sergio Gomez have left the club for Southampton and Real Sociedad respectively. The major exit from the club in the summer was Julien Alvarez who moved to Atletico Madrid.

Erling Haaland has been excellent this season as his goals in the first few weeks propelled the champions to four consecutive wins. As of the time of writing, the Norwegian striker has scored 10 Premier League goals including two hat tricks for Pep Guardiola’s side.

However, the unfortunate injury to Rodrigo, which has seen the midfielder ruled out until the end of the season, will have a damaging effect on their season in the long run.

“I trust my players. I need to find a solution. Rodri is irreplaceable. Of course, it’s a big blow for us. In football, it happens. I must find a solution to be competitive and continue to be there. A problem for our opponents. I will find a solution. We will do it,” said Guardiola following Rodrigo's injury.

Rodrigo has been at the heart of all of Guardiola’s successes in recent seasons, playing at least 50 games in four of his five complete campaigns.

In the head-to-head count, Manchester City have won the last 15 matches between the two teams and they will be keen to maintain that dominance. 

Match tickets

The epic match at Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth kicks off on Saturday 2nd November 2024, at 16:00 UK time.

The 11,307-capacity stadium with its electrifying atmosphere will be ready to host this fixture. 

Getting Bournemouth vs Manchester City tickets could take a lot of work given the standard of this game. Hence, you are advised to search ticket reselling sites should they be expectedly sold out on each club’s channels. 

Team news

Lineups

The Cherries have Tyler Adams out injured. The American struggled with injuries and barely played for Bournemouth during the entire duration of the 2023-24 campaign. 

However, Iraola will be hopeful he can get the midfielder fit and available a lot more this campaign. Iraola will be hoping his team can work hard to cause an upset in this fixture.

Bournemouth XI: Arrizabalaga (GK), Araujo, Huijsen, Zabarnyi, Kerkez, Cook, Christie, Semenyo, Kluivert, Tavernier, Evanilson.

Manchester City have Rodrigo out until the end of the season. He might be the only one missing, but he is an important cog of their structure and he will be greatly missed. Gundogan and Kovacic should continue in the midfield, while Haaland will be expected to lead the line if he is fit.

Manchester City XI: Ederson; Josko Gvardiol, Manuel Akanji, Kyle Walker, Ruben Diaz, Matteo Kovacic, Gundogan, Silva, Jack Grealish, Erling Haaland, Phil Foden.

Prediction

Bournemouth play with so much energy and without fear. They will need to step their performances at home up if they don't want to be battered in this game. 

Manchester City are known for their distinct style and they will be expected to dominate this fixture and also walk away with all three points.

If the Citizens get into their groove, the Cherries could be beaten by a large scoreline.

Bournemouth 1-4 Manchester City

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