Verdict: Man City & Over 4.5 Goals
Best Odds: 17/10
Bookmaker: Betfair
Premier League table-toppers Manchester City continue their title chase with a home game against a high-flying Bournemouth side on Saturday afternoon. Visitors travel to Etihad desperate to end their three-match losing run but it will be easier said than done against the rampant Citizens.
Manchester City
Manchester City showed plenty of character during the week by coming from behind twice to earn a 2-2 draw at Lyon and secure their place in the elimination stage of the Champions League. Pep Guardiola’s men shift their focus to domestic run which has been going in the formidable pace of late.
Five wins in a row and only two goals conceded speak volumes of Manchester City’s current form. Guardiola’s guys recorded the total of 12 wins in last 14 games across all competitions and bagged whopping 44 goals during that time. Results aside, the way City are crushing their rivals is most impressive. The Citizens are a well-oiled attack-oriented machine which at the moment looks unstoppable despite a lengthy injury list. They are as effective as they are pleasing to watch and the forthcoming clash against Bournemouth should end up being another feast for their supporters’ eyes.
Team News
Claudio Bravo, Eliaquim Mangala and Benjamin Mendy continue to miss out due to their respective injuries, but Kevin De Bruyne is expected to return to the fold after missing the midweek game.
Bernando Silva, Ilkay Gundogan and Gabriel Jesus could also get back in contention.
Bournemouth
Eddie Howe’s men face an uphill battle hoping to record their first-ever win at Manchester City. The numbers do not exactly work in Bournemouth’s favour as the Cherries travel to Etihad on the back of a three-match losing streak.
Knowing that City have lost just once in their last 38 league matches on home ground will make life even more difficult for Bournemouth in their attempt to stop the rot and avoid slipping further down the Premier League table. Howe’s charges are currently sitting in eighth place in the standings with 20 points to their name and could drop to 10th if other results do not go their way. Bournemouth tactician can still be extremely proud of his team which has been one of the biggest surprises in the league ever since their promotion to the top tier of English football in 2015. Brave and bold, Bournemouth have scored in all but one of their last nine matches and could be considered slightly unlucky to lose all of their last three matches against Manchester United, Newcastle and Arsenal, respectively.
Team News
Adam Smith is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines through injury, while Jefferson Llerma is set to miss out on the trip to Etihad due to a one-match suspension.
Key Factors to Consider
- Manchester City are without a defeat in last 14 matches in all competitions
- Citizens scored whopping 44 goals during that time, conceding 5 in the process
- Bournemouth lost three of their last matches in the Premier League
- The Cherries have yet to beat City in six matches since their promotion in 2015
- Howe’s men lost all of their 5 trips to Manchester
Conclusion
A mere look at the numbers and stats is enough to suggest a straightforward win for the Citizens this weekend. Bournemouth are going through a low-form run at the moment whereas their head-to-head record against Manchester City is even more worrying. The Cherries have yet to avoid defeat at Etihad in all five encounters and it is highly likely they will suffer another (heavy) loss.
Verdict: Man City & Over 4.5 Goals
Best Odds: 17/10
Bookmaker: Betfair
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