Bournemouth start new campaign at Manchester City
Written by BillyTheKid
Tough Start To The New Season
The Cherries start the 2026-27 season in the Premier League with hope for another successful season and a new European adventure. The first game will probably be one of their hardest games, away up in the North of England in Manchester to play the blue side, City. The game is on Sunday at 2 pm; it’s also on Sky.
Manchester City v AFC Bournemouth
Man City Win
Man City Win
Draw
AFCB Win
AFCB Win
Andoni Iraola gave our club its highest-ever finish in the Premier League of 6th place, last season, and the first time our club has gained entry into Europe, qualifying for the Europa League under the leadership of Andoni Iraola in his three seasons in charge.
This season in the Premier League, the familiar faces of Andoni Iraola and Pep Guardiola will not be on the touchline for AFCB and Manchester City. Andoni Iraola has joined Liverpool, while Pep Guardiola has taken a break from football. Andoni Iraola’s place on the touchline will be taken by Marco Rose, and for City, Enzo Maresca will be in charge after signing a 3-year contract.
Maresca had previously been manager at both Leicester City and, more recently, at Chelsea until his departure in January this year. This will be his third stint at City; he was assistant to Guardiola in the 2022-23 season and previous to that, in 2020-21 he was lead coach in their Elite Development squad.
The last time we met City at their ground was in November last year. Erling Haaland opened the scoring after 17 minutes, but Tyler Adams equalised 8 minutes later. Haaland put City back into the lead before half-time. In the second half, Nico O’Reilly made it 3-1, and that was the final score.
In all away league games against City, AFCB have W 0, D 1, L 11.
In all competitions, AFCB have W 1, D 3, L 22.
Manchester City Team News
They have signed Elliott Anderson from Nottingham Forest for £116 million. Young prospect Jeremy Monga for £10 million from Leicester City. Rodri has joined Barcelona. They have injuries to Doku, Matheus Nunes and Momar Marmoush.
Manchester City Player To Watch
Erling Haaland has scored in all of his four opening league games in the 4 seasons at City; they were all away games. Last season, he scored a brace against AFCB in our game up in Manchester in November, and he scored in the game at Dean Court in May.
AFCB Team News
Definitely out are Junior Kroupi, Velijko Miloslavjevic, and Julian Araujo; they are out for a time with injuries. Ryan Christie is suspended. Hopefully, the other players who had knocks will be available.
AFCB Player To Watch
With several new signings, they will be the ones to watch and see how they get on in their first competitive game of the season in the Premier League.
The Referee
Jarred Gillett is the man in charge of this opening game. We had him twice last season, away against Crystal Palace and home against Sunderland; both games were drawn.
Your say…
Simon said…
Not so chuffed to see the ref
Cost us both games last season
That disgraceful penalty at Palace, and giving a foul against Kroupi v Sunderland when the GK should have had a red, or we would have scored.
That’s just last season. – To join the conversation, please click here.