Bournemouth vs Manchester City predictions: Injury-hit City can survive Cherries test
- Manchester City are top of Premier League
- Bournemouth are down in 11th place
- Recommended bet: Manchester City to win and both teams to score
Manchester City have a lengthy injury list to contend with for their trip to Bournemouth but the champions should still have too much for the Cherries on the south coast.
City boss Pep Guardiola claimed after their 2-1 midweek defeat at Tottenham in the Carabao Cup that he was down to just 13 fit outfield players and the injuries piling up will be a major concern ahead of the Vitality Stadium clash.
Bournemouth have beaten Arsenal and drawn with Aston Villa in their last two outings so are sure to provide a stiff test for a weakened City.
Team news
Alex Scott and Luis Sinisterra are absent for the Cherries, while goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is a major doubt.
If Kepa is ruled out then Mark Travers will once again deputise in goal.
City's mounting injury problems have been well-documented in recent days with Rodri and Oscar Bobb ruled out long term, while Kyle Walker and Kevin De Bruyne are also not expected back anytime soon.
Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish are among the others on the sidelines for the champions, while Manuel Akanji and Savinho sustained injuries in midweek and Ruben Dias is rated as doubtful for the clash with Bournemouth.
The stats
Manchester City are the only unbeaten team in the Premier League this season, winning seven of their nine games and drawing the other two.
Bournemouth have won their last two home games, beating Southampton 3-1 and Arsenal 2-0.
Bournemouth have never beaten Manchester City in 21 previous meetings between the two sides in all competitions.
City have won 19 of those games, including all their Premier League meetings, with Bournemouth's only draws against City coming in league matches in 1989 and 1999.
Prediction
City were beaten for the first time this season when going down 2-1 at Tottenham in the League Cup in midweek but they are yet to lose in the Premier League and despite their mounting injury problems it would be a surprise if they slipped up at Bournemouth.
Guardiola has bemoaned the lack of options available to him for the trip to the Vitality Stadium but he still has quality players like Josko Gvardiol, John Stones, Phil Foden, Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva and the division's top-scorer, Erling Haaland, at his disposal.
Bournemouth claimed a late draw at Aston Villa last weekend and did stun Arsenal at home recently. However, that victory was only achieved after the Gunners went down to 10 men and City, despite their injury issues, should prevail.
The Cherries have scored in all but one of their home league games this season and they can again register a goal in front of their own fans although it is unlikely to be enough to secure what would be a famous victory.
Win up to £250,000 with LiveScore 6!
Win up to £250,000 with our free-to-play game, LiveScore 6!
