AFC Bournemouth vs Manchester City
Date: 02/03/2019
K/O: 15:00
Venue: Vitality Stadium
Referee: Kevin Friend
Bournemouth welcome champions Manchester City to the South Coast seeking a reaction to Wednesday’s mauling at Arsenal.
Both sides have lengthy injury lists and the Cherries are likely to be without two key men in Steve Cook and Callum Wilson, while Jefferson Lerma will serve the second game of a two-match ban.
City meanwhile are again without Aymeric Laporte in defence, though Benjamin Mendy is available for selection after surgery and John Stones could feature from the bench.
Eddie Howe bemoaned his side’s luck as they prepared for the trip to London in midweek, with Lerma joining Cook, Junior Stanislas, Wilson and David Brooks on the sidelines in addition to long term absentee Simon Francis. Brooks returned to the matchday squad on Wednesday as an unused sub, and there are hopes that Cook, Stanislas and Wilson may also be passed fit for the visit of City but this fixture will likely be too soon for the trio.
Despite conceding five goals at the Emirates, Artur Boruc was not at fault and may retain his place ahead of Asmir Begovic, who could continue on the bench. Charlie Daniels looks set to return at left back in place of Adam Smith or Nathaniel Clyne, with the survivor likely to play at right back. Chris Mepham could make way for Steve Cook if he is passed fit, with Nathan Ake completing the back four.
Andrew Surman will again deputise for the suspended Lerma, while David Brooks and Junior Stanislas may feature in place of Dan Gosling and Jordon Ibe. Wednesday night’s goalscorer Lys Mousset will drop to the bench, with the Cherries likely to play with a lone striker as they seek to contain a free-flowing Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola may hand a start to Benjamin Mendy for the visit of Bournemouth with the Frenchman having been passed for Wednesday’s victory over West Ham. That would be at the expense of the impressive Oleksandr Zinchenko, while Danilo remains an option if Kyle Walker returns at right back.
Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Otamendi will again partner up in the centre of defence, with Laporte out for several weeks and John Stones is unlikely to start if passed fit to play.
Ilkay Gundogan will occupy deep midfield in the continued absence of Fernandinho, though Bernardo Silva could return in place of either David Silva or Kevin De Bruyne having impressed off the bench against West Ham after being afforded a rare spell on the bench.
Riyad Mahrez and Leroy Sane failed to impress against the Hammers and were both replaced before the hour. Both could make way for Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva if Guardiola chooses to play the Portuguese midfielder further forward.
Gabriel Jesus should return to the matchday squad, but will likely not be risked from the start. Sergio Aguero will again lead the line for the Citizens.
Predicted Starting XIs
AFC Bournemouth (4-5-1): Boruc; Smith, Mepham, Ake, Daniels; Stanislas, Gosling, Surman, Brooks, Fraser; King
Manchester City (4-3-3): Ederson; Walker, Kompany, Otamendi, Danilo; Gundogan, De Bruyne, B. Silva; Sterling, Aguero, Sane
Predicted Scoreline: AFC Bournemouth 1 Manchester City 2
Although the Cherries are impressive at the Vitality, Manchester City are expected to pick up another three points and keep the pressure on Liverpool before their Merseyside derby on Sunday.
