Prediction: Bournemouth vs Manchester City

Prediction: Manchester City win

Best Odds: 2/11

Bookmaker: 888sport

The Premier League returns this weekend with a whole host of entertaining games, including Bournemouth vs Manchester City. Some will see this as a David vs Goliath clash, but in the modern era of English football, any and all teams can be seen as the ‘David’ when going up against Pep Guardiola’s City. It should be a pretty interesting battle between two teams with very different styles, but in many ways, that’s the kind of dynamic you need for an entertaining Premier League showdown.

Bournemouth

Eddie Howe seems to have put in another solid summer with Bournemouth, to the point where they’re looking pretty good in the early stages of the Premier League season. The Cherries’ aim will obviously be to avoid the relegation battle once again, but if they can start to build a little bit of momentum for themselves, then they could surprise quite a lot of people this season. One way or another, though, they aren’t going to lie down and take a beating from Manchester City this weekend.

Team News

While there are no fresh injury worries after their last game, Brooks, Gosling, Cook, Francis, Kelly, Stanislas and Groeneveld are still out of action for the hosts.

Manchester City

After their domestic treble last season, Manchester City will be hoping to replicate that feat – and perhaps even go one step further by claiming the Champions League trophy, too. There’s a belief within the squad that they’re capable of doing that, but the draw against Tottenham this past weekend proved that quite literally anything can happen in this game. As long as they can avoid any more speed bumps like that, though, they should feel confident in their ability to win the title for the third year in a row.

Team News

Sane and Mendy are still out of action through injury for City, with John Stones’ muscle injury keeping him out. Jesus is tipped to start ahead of Aguero with Silva and Gundogan keeping their spots.

Factors to Consider

• In their last meeting back in March, Man City beat Bournemouth 1-0.
• Man City have won one and drawn one of their Premier League games this season.
• Bournemouth have won one and drawn one of their Premier League games this season.
• Man City have scored seven goals and conceded two this season.
• Bournemouth have scored three goals and conceded two this season.

Conclusion

Bournemouth are going to cause a lot of teams a lot of problems this season, but Manchester City will not feature into those plans. City are just too good and the only reason they didn’t get the win over Spurs is because of some seriously bad luck, and we can’t imagine lightning will strike twice. It’s going to be interesting to see if they come flying out of the gate, because if they do, then this could get embarrassing for the Cherries – but we hope that they keep it fairly competitive.

Prediction: Manchester City win

Best Odds: 2/11

Bookmaker: 888sport