Prediction: Manchester City vs Bournemouth

Verdict: Erling Haaland to outscore opposition 

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Unibet

Making their first appearance at the Etihad this weekend, Manchester City will host Premier League returners Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon.

Manchester City

Starting with the hosts, while Manchester City might have had to watch Liverpool lift this year’s Community Shield last month, Pep Guardiola’s men certainly came roaring back. Opening the 2022/23 campaign away at Europa League semi-finalists West Ham, the one-time Bayern Munich boss saw his side cruise their way to a 2-0 victory in east London. Retaining their Premier League crown last season thanks to a one-point buffer, the Sky Blues should be smelling the chance to lay down another marker here. Tipped as a standout pick to defend their title once again this season, Guardiola would have been hugely excited by Erling Haaland’s arrival in Manchester. Putting in a Man of the Match of the display last weekend and bagging a brace at the London Stadium, the former Borussia Dortmund striker certainly laid down his own marker. Despite squeezing in just a pair of pre-season appearances over the summer, it doesn’t appear that the English heavyweights have missed a beat.

Team News

Opening his Premier League account with a brace in last weekend’s 2-0 victory away at West Ham, Haaland will once again lead Man City’s charge here.

Making his full debut for the Sky Blues in east London, England international Kalvin Phillips will be hoping for a start on Saturday afternoon.

Bournemouth

As for the visitors, making their Premier League return earlier in the year, Bournemouth couldn’t have wished for a better start to life back in the top-flight. Despite facing what many had tipped to be a tough test on the south coast, Scott Parker’s men picked up a deserved 2-0 victory against Aston Villa. With the former Fulham boss making it clear that the sole aim is to extend on their Premier League status this season, the Cherries should find the mood in their camp at a real high. However, while Parker’s side might have opened the 2022/23 campaign with a flurry at the Vitality, there is no doubt that they face a monumental challenge on Saturday afternoon. Making the trip to the defending champions here, Bournemouth do hold a nightmare record against the Sky Blues. Including a 2-1 loss when they last made the trip to Manchester in September 2020 while on League Cup duties, Parker’s men have lost each of their last 11 meetings against City.

Team News

Despite announcing the arrival of Barcelona goalkeeper Neto on a 12-month deal, 23-year-old Mark Travers should retain his spot between the sticks here.

Finding the net in Bournemouth’s 2-0 victory against Aston Villa last weekend, Wales international Kieffer Moore will lead Parker’s charge at the Etihad.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last met at the Etihad in September 2020 on EFL Cup duties, Manchester City picked up a 2-1 victory.
• Saturday’s hosts have won each of their last 11 straight meetings against Bournemouth.
• Guardiola’s side have scored 22 goals in their seven home fixtures against the Cherries.
• Six of the last seven meetings between Manchester City and Bournemouth have finished with over 2.5 goals.
• Manchester City won each of their final four Premier League home fixtures last season by an aggregate score of 16-3.

Conclusion

While Bournemouth might have marked their Premier League return with an eye-catching 2-0 victory against Aston Villa on home soil, Parker’s men face a monumental task here. Watching Manchester City open the 2022/23 campaign with a real statement away at West Ham, Guardiola’s men have cemented their spot as the team to beat this season. Holding a rampant 11-match winning record against the Cherries, there is no doubt that Haaland will be looking to lay down another marker. Running rampant at the London Stadium and opening his Premier League account with a brace, the ex-Borussia Dortmund striker will once again spearhead Guardiola’s charge on Saturday afternoon.

Verdict: Erling Haaland to outscore opposition 

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Unibet