Manchester City travel to Bournemouth as a place in the FA Cup semi-final awaits the winners. It’s a golden opportunity for any of the last eight to claim the trophy, with City the only remaining traditional ‘top six’ side left in the competition.
In recent years, City would be nailed-on favourites to win the cup but, given their erratic form this season, there are no certainties that that they will even get through to the last four.
Bournemouth are appearing in the last eight of the FA Cup for only the second time in their history. The last time they reached this stage was the 2020/21 season when they were beaten 3-0 by Southampton.
Form
Bournemouth started the season erratically, but hit a bit of a purple patch at the end of November which saw them unbeaten until the beginning of February. In that time, they won eight and drew four of their 12 league and FA Cup matches, which started to put them in contention for a place in Europe.
Since then, they have dropped off and have returned to their erratic form. They have won three and lost four of their eight matches and, worryingly for the Cherries, three of those defeats came at home. In fact, their only home win was in the FA Cup when they beat Wolves 5-4 on penalties.
Overall, Bournemouth have won six and lost five of their 14 matches at home this season, scoring 18 and conceding 12. In the FA Cup, two of their three ties have been at home, with the Cherries beating West Brom 5-1 in the 3rd round and Wolves in the 5th. Their fourth round tie was at Goodison Park, where they beat Everton 2-0.
Ones to Watch
Justin Kluivert is the main danger posed by Bournemouth. The Dutch striker has hit 12 goals from 28 matches this season and has a goal conversion rate of 21%. Kluivert has had 56 shots at goal so far and will lead the line against the Blues on Sunday.
Burkina Faso winger Dango Ouattara has also weighed in with seven goals this season, making 48 shots from 26 matches and taking a goal conversion ratio of 15%. Antoine Semenyo also has seven goals so far and has had 101 attempts on goal, but has a goal conversion rate of just 7%.
Kluivert also leads the way with assists for Bournemouth, making him the man to stop on Sunday afternoon. The striker has created 43 chances for his teammates, six of which have been converted.
James Tavernier has weighed in with five assists from 36 chances created and Milos Kerkez has created 26 chances for his team, five of which have been taken.
The Boss
Spanish boss Andoni Iraola is the man in charge at Bournemouth. Appointed in 2023, Iraola is now in his second season at the Vitality Stadium and this season, he achieved something that no other Bournemouth manager has achieved - victory over Manchester City.
He has also led Bournemouth to a successful campaign this season and some decent results towards the end of the season could still see them qualify for Europe.
Iraola has a short managerial career, but with Bournemouth, he has overseen 77 matches, winning 31 and losing 28, which gives him a win ratio of around 40%.