Manchester City host Bournemouth in the Premier League on Tuesday night at the Etihad Stadium.
The contest is huge for Pep Guardiola’s men as they need to secure all three points to confirm their place in next season’s Champions League, which they still have not managed to do with two games to go, and currently sit outside of where they need to be.
In addition to the pressure of needing to win, Man City are saying farewell to Kevin De Bruyne, while the Manchester club are still dealing with losing to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final last weekend.
All this makes Bournemouth a tricky task for City, and after predicting Man City to win the FA Cup, Paul Merson has now shared how he thinks Guardiola’s men will get on against the Cherries.
Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images
Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images
Paul Merson expects Man City to beat Bournemouth
With Man City needing three points on Tuesday, Guardiola would have wanted an easier team to face than Bournemouth, who are having an impressive campaign under Andoni Iraola.
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Merson is aware of the challenge the Cherries pose to City, with the pundit predicting the contest to be ‘really tricky’ for the Manchester club, yet the former Arsenal star has still gone with a 2-1 win for the home side.
“Manchester City cannot afford to drop points. But this is a really tricky game, considering they would have played a final at Wembley a few days before it,” Merson told Sportskeeda.
“Bournemouth beat City in the reverse fixture this season and will know they can hurt any opponent on their day. I think this will be a really difficult game for City, but I just feel they will get the win somehow.”
A win for Man City will be one of their most important of the season, not only for the three points, but they will want to send Kevin De Bruyne off on a high.
Man City fans praised De Bruyne the last time he faced Bournemouth, and the Etihad faithful will be hoping to witness another masterclass from the Belgian one last time on Tuesday night.
Photo by Michael Regan - The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Photo by Michael Regan – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Pep Guardiola’s record vs Bournemouth
Since arriving in Manchester in 2016, Guardiola has an exceptional record against Bournemouth, which should give City fans some confidence heading into Tuesday night.
The 54-year-old has faced the Cherries on 15 occasions, winning 14 and losing just one. However, that one came during the first half of the current campaign, as Man City were defeated 2-1 by Iraola’s men at the Vitality Stadium.
Luckily for Man City, Bournemouth do not have a lot to play for at this stage of the season, although finishing in the top half of the Premier League will be a goal for Iraola.
Tuesday night is one of the most important nights in Man City’s season as it will impact how the Manchester club progresses over the coming years.