Manchester City will be looking to bounce back from successive draws when they travel to the Vitality Stadium to face Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday evening.
The Citizens picked off the Cherries when the two teams met in the reverse fixture back in August, cruising to a 4-0 victory at the Etihad Stadium.
Match preview
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Bournemouth saw their nine-game winless run come to an end when they secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory away against Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend, picking up their first three points since the World Cup break.
The Cherries' only attempt on target was with the thigh of Marcus Tavernier, who diverted a Dominic Solanke cross into the net four minutes after the break to secure their first away win since September.
Gary O'Neil's side have now accumulated five points from their last four Premier League games and have subsequently climbed out of the relegation zone, sitting one place and one point above West Ham United in 18th.
Goals have been hard to come by for Bournemouth since the restart following the World Cup break, with Tavernier's effort last weekend one of only three league goals in eight games, fewer than any other team in the top flight.
The Cherries have scored in five of their last eight meetings against Man City, though, which will provide them with some hope of causing an upset on Saturday, but they have never beaten the Citizens in 17 previous league encounters – the longest winless run endured by one team against another in English football league history.
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Following a disappointing 1-1 draw away against Nottingham Forest last weekend, Man City were forced to play out the same result in Germany against RB Leipzig in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday.
The Citizens were deservedly in front at the break following a first 45 of sheer dominance in possession, with Riyad Mahrez netting a 27th-minute opener. However, to Leipzig's credit, they came out in the second half with more ambition and a greater threat in the final third, and their efforts were rewarded when Josko Gvardiol headed home a 70th-minute equaliser.
Despite late appeals for a City penalty following an alleged handball from Benjamin Henrichs – with replays since showing that the ball instead struck the Leipzig defender's shoulder – Pep Guardiola's side were forced to settle for a draw, and the Spaniard has insisted that he was "delighted" with the result and performance, nevertheless.
City may have only lost one of their last eight matches in all competitions, but their recent form on the road leaves a little to be desired as they have failed to win five of their last six away games, conceding in each of their last five in the process.
However, Guardiola and co will fancy their chances of returning to winning ways against Bournemouth on Saturday as they boast a 100% record in the Premier League against the Cherries, claiming maximum points in all 11 previous meetings – the best win rate in the competition's history.
The Citizens could find themselves five points behind leaders Arsenal before they even kick a ball at the Vitality Stadium, should the Gunners beat Leicester City in a 3.00pm kickoff, so claiming their 200th Premier League away victory this weekend could be crucial in their quest to retain their top-flight crown.
Team News
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Bournemouth will be without last weekend's match-winner Tavernier due to a hamstring injury, and the attacker will join Lewis Cook (knee), David Brooks (thigh), Lloyd Kelly (calf) and Illia Zabarnyi (ankle) in the treatment room, while Jordan Zemura (knock) and Junior Stanislas (muscle) are minor doubts and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.
The absence of Tavernier is set to see Jaidon Anthony deputise on the left flank, while Solanke is expected to continue as the central striker ahead of Kieffer Moore and Antoine Semenyo.
O'Neil is unlikely to make too many other changes to his starting lineup, with Jack Stephens hoping to start his third successive game at centre-back ahead of Chris Mepham.
As for Man City, John Stones (hamstring) and Aymeric Laporte (illness) are both expected to miss out, but Guardiola has confirmed that Kevin De Bruyne could recover from his own battle with illness to feature on Saturday.
It remains to be seen whether Guardiola will stick with a similar four-man defence to the one that he used against Leipzig or revert to starting only three natural defenders, with Bernardo Silva filling in as a makeshift left-back when out of possession.
Jack Grealish, who has recorded all seven of his Premier League goal contributions away from home so far this season (three goals and four assists), is expected to continue on the left flank, while Phil Foden will push Mahrez for a start on the right side of attack, as Erling Braut Haaland continues to lead the line.
Bournemouth possible starting lineup:
Neto; Smith, Stephens, Senesi, Zemura; Billing, Lerma; Ouattara, Traore, Anthony; Solanke
Manchester City possible starting lineup:
Ederson; Walker, Dias, Ake; Rodri, Bernardo; Foden, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Grealish; Haaland
We say: Bournemouth 1-3 Manchester City
Failing to make the most of their dominance in possession has cost Man City in their last two games and on several other occasions over the years, and they can ill-afford to drop more points if they wish to keep in touch with title rivals Arsenal.
Facing a Bournemouth side who they have a flawless record against is seemingly the perfect fixture for them to bounce back, and while their backline could be tested by the Cherries, Guardiola's men should have too much strength for the hosts.
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Oliver Thomas
