Man City vs Bournemouth Prediction: Back Bournemouth to avoid defeat at 8/5

Arsenal’s rivals are in action on Sunday and although it is Manchester City who are afforded home comforts, they are not looking comfortable in the Premier League’s chasing pack. Pep Guardiola’s men could be as low down as eighth before they welcome Bournemouth in a few hours. Kick-off is set for 16:30 and live on Sky Sports.

While it is the Cherries themselves who started this Premier League weekend in second and although they may have suffered their own temporary slide down the league ladder, they arrive at the Etihad in a rich vein of form – the kind of form that could see them back as the best of the rest at full-time...  

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Team News  

Good news if you are a Manchester City supporter (or have a weighted FPL interest). Bad news if you follow Bournemouth. Erling Haaland has been announced as fit to play against the Cherries on Sunday and will be keen to return to the scoresheet after a rare blank at Aston Villa seven days prior.  

While there could be further cause for celebration as far as City manager Pep Guardiola is concerned. Rodri has not featured since picking up an injury in October's league win at Brentford but in Friday's press conference, it was hinted that the 29-year-old is fit enough to start on the subs bench. 

As for visitors Bournemouth, the only slight issue that manager Andoni Iraola will have to consider is the fitness of Evanilson. The former Porto forward missed out in last Sunday's home win over Nottingham Forest and could be set to return for the trip to Etihad.  

Then again, he may struggle to dislodge Eli Kroupi from the starting eleven and with the 19-year-old having scored four goals in his last three appearances, Cherries boss Iraola may well decide to continue with the teenager who is currently making light work of opposition defences.  

Man City vs Bournemouth Odds

Manchester City are priced as favourites at 1/2 to win this game, with visitors Bournemouth priced at 11/2 by comparison. That gives the home team an implied win probability of 66.7% while a draw can be backed at 18/5. 

BTTS has been priced at 4/6 and over 2.5 goals is 8/15, while Erling Haaland is the favourite to score first at 9/4.  

Bournemouth/Draw Double Chance @ 8/5 

On the one hand, Bournemouth have only avoided defeat in one of their last 18 meetings with Manchester City. On the other hand, Bournemouth have avoided defeat in each of their last eight league matches – the current longest run in the division. It is not quite flip of a coin territory before kick-off but there are two schools of thought going into this game. 

Do you place your weight on a sample of historic results or look at what has unfolded these past couple of months? Personally, I tend to look at the latter of the two and with City showing their susceptibility in both league and League Cup these past seven days, I think those same flaws can be exploited by Andoni Iraola's men. 

Antoine Semenyo to score anytime @ 3/1 

If Bournemouth are to come away with at least a point at the Etihad, the likelihood is that they will need to breach Manchester City's defence at least once and although Eli Kroupi's is the Cherries' current man of the moment, the likely return of Evanilson means he is not guaranteed all 90 minutes to himself.  

Therefore, I have placed my Bournemouth focus on another of their key attacking players and for good reason. Antoine Semenyo has not only scored six league goals already this season but he has also made three assists. With an average of a goal contribution per game, the Ghanian has no fear scoring on the road and I have no fear in backing him to score anytime on Sunday.  

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