Bournemouth will host Manchester City in their FA quarter-final tie at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday, with a spot in the semi-finals on the line.
Bournemouth have been quite inconsistent in recent weeks, and they will need to raise their performance levels to get a win vs Manchester City. The Cherries have picked up just one win from the last five matches in all competitions.
Furthermore, Andoni Iraola’s men have a disastrous record against Manchester City, and the defending Premier League champions will be the favourites to come away with a win here. Meanwhile, the visitors will also have to improve their performance levels.
Manchester CIty have picked up just two wins from their last six matches in all competitions, and it has been a disappointing season for them. Pep Guardiola’s men are unlikely to win the Premier League, and they are already out of the Champions League.
The FA Cup is Manchester City’s final opportunity to win a trophy this season, and they will be desperate to win this competition. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Bournemouth
The Cherries will be without Luis Sinisterra and Adam Smith due to knocks. Meanwhile, Enes Unal is out with a knee injury, and Julian Araujo is unavailable due to a thigh injury. Milos Kerkez and Dean Huijsen are both suspended for Bournemouth.
Bournemouth will shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation vs Manchester City, with Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal. Lewis Cook and Julio Soler will start as the full-backs. They will look to keep things tight at the back and hit Manchester City on the break. Illia Zabarnyi will start alongside Marcos Senesi at the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Alex Scott will start alongside Tyler Adams in the double pivot, and they will look to add control and defensive cover to the side. David Brooks will start in the attacking midfield role, and he will look to create goal-scoring opportunities for his teammates.
Justin Kluivert and Antoine Semenyo will start in the wide areas, and they will look to add pace and flair to the side. Finally, Evanilson will lead the line for Bournemouth vs Manchester City on Sunday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Kepa; Cook, Zabarrnyi, Senesi, Soler; Adams, Scott; Semenyo, Brooks, Kluivert; Evanilson
Manchester City
Manchester City will be without Rodri due to a knee injury. John Stones and Manuel Akanji will miss out with thigh and groin injuries, respectively. Finally, Nathan Ake is dealing with an ankle complaint.
Manchester City will shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation vs Bournemouth, with Ederson Moraes in goal. Rico Lewis and Josko Gvardiol will start as the full-backs, and they will look to contribute at both ends of the pitch. Ruben Dias will form the central defensive partnership alongside Abdukodir Khusanov.
As for the midfield unit, llkay Gundogan will add defensive cover and composure to the side from the deep. Nico Gonzalez will add creativity and control alongside him. Kevin De Bruyne will start as the attacking midfielder, and he will look to create goalscoring opportunities for his teammates.
Jeremy Doku and Phil Foden will start in the wide areas, and they will add pace and flair to the side. Finally, Erling Haaland is set to spearhead the Manchester City attack vs Bournemouth on Sunday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Lewis, Dias, Khusanov, Gvardiol; Gundogan, Gonzalez; Foden, De Bruyne, Doku; Haaland
Key Stats
Manchester City have won two of their last six matches in all competitions.
Bournemouth have won two of their last six matches in all competitions.
Manchester City have won five of their last six matches vs Bournemouth.
23 goals have been scored in the last six meetings between the two teams.
Player to Watch
Kevin De Bruyne
Embed from Getty Images
The Cherries have been quite vulnerable defensively in recent weeks, and Kevin De Bruyne has the quality to exploit their frailties at the back. He will look to create goalscoring opportunities for his teammates and find the back of the net as well. Manchester City will depend on De Bruyne to make a defining impact in the final third, and he could be the difference between the two teams here.
Prediction
Bournemouth 1-3 Manchester City
Despite their inconsistencies this season, Manchester Cityare one of the best teams in the world, and they should be able to grind out a comfortable victory away from home. The Citizens have an impressive record against Bournemouth, and the home team are not at their best right now.
Andoni Iraola’s men will look to make life difficult for Manchester City here, but their injury-ravaged defensive unit is likely to let them down. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-1 win for Pep Guardiola and his charges.