Prediction: Manchester City vs Bournemouth

Prediction: Manchester City win

Best Odds: 2/15

Bookmaker: 888sport

There are less than two weeks remaining until the current Premier League season comes to an end, and while there’s a whole lot of intrigue in regards to the race for the UCL and UEL, there’s just as much interest behind the relegation battle. Bournemouth are going to fight until the bitter end in order to try and preserve their top flight status, but in order to pick up the points they need, they have to take on former PL champions Manchester City at the Etihad.

Manchester City

Pep Guardiola may have seen his side surrender the Premier League title to Liverpool, but he can take pride in the fact that his side will continue to fight for the FA Cup and UEFA Champions League trophies before the season is done. The mood around the club will also be notably better in the last few days, after it was confirmed that they will no longer have to endure a two-year European ban, making them eligible to compete in the Champions League next season.

Team News

The only injury problem for City is Sergio Aguero who has been ruled out of this game, with Guardiola being tipped to shuffle his starting XI ahead of the game against Arsenal at the weekend.

Bournemouth

The win against Leicester at the weekend served as undeniable proof that Bournemouth will not go quietly into the night. They know that the magnitude of the task ahead of them in their next three games is huge, but even with that being the case, they’ll still believe they’re good enough to vault themselves out of the bottom three. Whether or not that actually becomes reality, though, remains to be seen.

Team News

Ake’s injury is a huge blow for the club, with the expectation being that he has played his last game for the men in red & black. Daniels is also out through injury, whereas Francis, Mepham, King and Smith are all doubts ahead of the trip up north.

Factors to Consider

• In their last meeting back in August, Man City beat Bournemouth 3-1.
• Man City have won four and lost two of their last six games.
• Bournemouth have won one, drawn one and lost four of their last six games.
• Man City have scored 17 goals and conceded three in their last six games.
• Bournemouth have scored seven goals and conceded 13 in their last six games.

Conclusion

Bournemouth may be riding something of a high right now, but City are in some pretty incredible form and it doesn’t look like they’re planning on slowing down. We think they’re going to carve the Cherries up from the first minute until the very last, and it isn’t going to be pretty. Bournemouth will go for it at points because Eddie Howe knows how vital a fortunate point could be for them, but when push comes to shove, there is a real gulf in quality between these two clubs.

Prediction: Manchester City win

Best Odds: 2/15

Bookmaker: 888sport