A single point will guarantee Europe, while three will confirm a spot in the top six – and Bournemouth getting a result will go a long way to deciding the title race, too.
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Add in the fact it is Iraola’s final home game as Cherries boss, and it is sure to be quite the occasion at Dean Court.
The Daily Echo previews Tuesday’s game.
Team news
Iraola may be without just two first team players, as the squad has a clean bill of health on the injury front.
Lewis Cook was photographed back in training last week, while Justin Kluivert returned to the bench against Fulham.
(Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
Ryan Christie will be suspended after his red card at Craven Cottage, while there is no update on the investigation into Alex Jimenez, and the right back is expected to remain sidelined, too.
Pep Guardiola has a full squad to choose from, too.
Head-to-head
The Cherries have only beaten City once across their history, but that came in this fixture last season as Antoine Semenyo and Evanilson goals fired them to a 2-1 win.
Since, they have played the Citizens three times and lost all three, losing at home in the FA Cup before two 3-1 defeats at the Etihad Stadium in the league.
Earlier this season, Erling Haaland gave City the lead before Tyler Adams equalised for Bournemouth, but another goal from Haaland and a Nico O’Reilly goal secured City the points.
Form
Bournemouth continue to be on flying form.
They are 16 games unbeaten in the league, a club record, and there is huge appetite in the squad to finish the season without losing that streak.
(Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
Last time out, they earned a narrow 1-0 win over Fulham in a game where they did not hit their straps in attack, but defended excellently.
That made it four wins in the past five in that run, too, and they’ll be aiming to extend it once again.
City, meanwhile, are also on flying form.
They won the FA Cup on Saturday with a 1-0 win over Chelsea, which gave Bournemouth’s European hopes a boost by confirming that top eight will get European football.
Former Cherry Antoine Semenyo scored the only goal in that game to give his former side a hand, as Bournemouth will now look to keep the Ghanaian quiet in his first game back at Dean Court since he left in January.
(Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
City’s last defeat in all competitions came to Real Madrid in the Champions League in March, while their last defeat in the league came in January to Manchester rivals United.
Permutations
One point for Bournemouth will confirm European qualification no matter results elsewhere, while a win on Tuesday night will be enough to guarantee top six – although a draw vs City and to Nottingham Forest on the final day would also do that.
They are in the driving seat for a top six finish, and they will be sixth going into the final day, no matter Tuesday’s result.
Europe can still be confirmed on Tuesday if Bournemouth lose, should Chelsea drop points to Spurs in the 8.15pm kick off.
For City, they need to win to ensure they take the title race to the final day. Arsenal could go five points clear tonight when they face Burnley.
If the Gunners win and City don’t, then the title will go to North London.