Manchester City

vs

Bournemouth AFC

Predictions & Betting Tips

City’s Champions League fate in the balance

Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City sit sixth in the Premier League with 65 points from 36 games. The Champions League qualification race is getting very crowded indeed and the Citizens will need all their experience and composure to remain in the running against a plucky side. According to the latest Manchester City vs Bournemouth AFC prediction, both teams will be pushing for crucial points on Tuesday. The Cherries, who have never won away to Manchester City, are 11th in the league after collecting 53 points from 36 league games – one of the best seasons in the club’s history.

Iraola’s Bournemouth are dangerous on the break

Andoni Iraola took charge of the Cherries in July 2023 and has made a mark on the club with his direct, transition-heavy style of soccer that is very different to Guardiola’s. Iraola’s team are most dangerous on the counter-attack, preferring to sit deep, absorb pressure and then hit their direct runners over the top with high tempo moves. Antoine Semenyo has scored two of Bournemouth’s last four goals and will be a danger on the attack, while Dominic Solanke’s hold-up play is key to the way they play. The visitors have looked solid away in recent weeks, beating Arsenal 2-1 away two weeks ago, but suffering a 1-0 home defeat to Aston Villa just nine days ago.

Guardiola’s City are all about structure

It is a contrast of styles that could see City dominate possession and territory, but Bournemouth have shown they can cause problems on their trips, averaging 1.89 goals scored and 1.50 conceded on their away trips. The Manchester City vs Bournemouth AFC prediction also highlights that the visitors have won two, drawn two and lost one of their last five in the Premier League, so there is a case for them keeping the score line close to full-time. But, on form and odds, the safest play looks to be to support Manchester City to be in front at half-time (-125) as City usually make strong starts at home and are fresh from back-to-back wins at the Etihad. According to our Manchester City vs Bournemouth AFC betting tips, City’s home form gives them a notable edge going into this clash. Kevin De Bruyne is the creative heartbeat of the team that Guardiola has managed since July 2016, winning multiple trophies with his signature style of suffocating possession soccer. This Manchester City vs Bournemouth AFC preview underlines that Bernardo Silva gives Guardiola the flexibility to switch things up while Erling Haaland, who has scored 21 goals in 29 Premier League matches this term, is his main man up front. Justin Kluivert leads the line for Bournemouth with 12 goals in 32 league appearances and is always a threat, but City are the clear favorites here at -232 while Bournemouth are long odds at +740.