This current cup run equals the club’s best ever run in the competition – but they’ll be hoping to get at least one step further and reach Wembley for the semifinals.
The Daily Echo previews Sunday’s game at Dean Court.
**Team News**
Andoni Iraola will be hopeful that all his players have come through the international break without any issues.
Ryan Christie, who has been managing a groin issue this season, featured in both the Scotland internationals in the break, coming off the bench in the second after starting against Croatia.
_(Image: Richard Crease)_ Luis Sinisterra was ruled out of international duty after he went off injured in the Brentford defeat before the break.
Marcos Senesi and Julian Araujo have both returned to full training, and while they did not make any match squads before the break, they will likely be available.
Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez will both be unavailable for selection this weekend as they have both picked up two yellow cards in the cup, so will be suspended.
Enes Unal and Adam Smith are both long-term absentees – with Unal ruled out for the season and Smith’s return date not certain at this stage.
Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, will be without Manuel Akanji, John Stones and former Cherry Nathan Ake, as well as Ballon d’Or winner Rodri.
Oscar Bobb and Bernardo Silva are both doubts for the cup game.
**The Cup Run**
The Cherries’ run to this stage in the competition has not been without drama – with a penalty shootout victory in the fifth round securing their progression to the quarterfinals.
The cup run began with a 5-1 victory over West Brom at the Vitality Stadium, with goals from Justin Kluivert, Antoine Semenyo, Daniel Jebbison and a Dango Ouattara brace firing them to the fourth round.
_(Image: Richard Crease)_ A trip to Merseyside was next, as Bournemouth said goodbye to Goodison Park with a 2-0 win over Everton, thanks to first half strikes from Semenyo and Jebbison.
A home tie against Wolves followed in the fifth round.
A week after falling to defeat to the West Midlands team in the league, and without centre back Illia Zabarnyi through suspension, the Cherries sought to match their best run in the cup.
And, after a strong start, Evanilson handed Bournemouth the lead and thought they had doubled it through Milos Kerkez, only for his goal to be chalked off by VAR after an eight-minute check.
Matheus Cunha equalised for the visitors with a second-half wonder strike, and, despite the Cherries throwing everything at Wolves, the game went to a shootout.
Wolves got the advantage after Dean Huijsen’s spot kick, the Cherries’ fourth, was saved by Sam Johnstone.
_(Image: Richard Crease)_ But Matt Doherty and Boubacar Traore missed their efforts, as Lewis Cook and Luis Sinisterra found the back of the net to send the Cherries to the quarterfinals.
Manchester City have reached this stage of the competition after wins over Salford City, Leyton Orient and Plymouth Argyle.
They brushed aside Salford in the third round, winning 8-0, before edging past Orient 2-1 in the fourth round.
Last time out in the cup, City survived a scare as Plymouth took the lead, but they hit back and turned the game around to win 3-1.
In the league, the Cherries have had a bumpy run of form, having lost three of the past five games, while City have won two, lost two and drawn one of their past five league games.
The Cherries will take confidence from their performance earlier this season against the Citizens, though – they beat the Manchester side 2-1 to record their first ever victory over them.
AFC Bournemouth host Manchester City at 4.30pm on Sunday, March 30 at the Vitality Stadium. The game will be broadcast on ITV.