Manchester City vs Bournemouth Bet Builder Tips: Haaland to deliver in 9/2 punt

For the first time since the 2016/17 season, Pep Guardiola's Manchester City are trophy-less, after losing to Crystal Palace in Saturday's FA Cup final. It's been a season to forget for the Citizens and to spare further embarrassment, they need to secure a top-five finish in the Premier League to retain Uefa Champions League football. They host AFC Bournemouth at the Etihad on Tuesday (20:00, Sky Sports Main Event).

Below you will find my Manchester City vs Bournemouth Bet Builder Tips, which pay out at an alluring 9/2.

Football Odds

Man City or draw

Man City may mope following their FA Cup heartache and begrudge the fact that Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson was not sent off in the first-half for handling the ball outside his area, but the truth is they were second best on the day and they need to deliver much stronger performances if they are to remain a Champions League club next term.

It's a quick turnover for the Bournemouth game but the Citizens will be glad it's at home as they have been strong at the Etihad in recent weeks, winning four games on the spin. Of course, they need a strong performance to extend their streak.

Guardiola is likely going to demand a response from his players, which you would expect to translate out on the pitch, but there is a seed of doubt. I think adding the insurance of a draw on Tuesday night is wise as Bournemouth have been a stubborn force on the road lately, going unbeaten in their past four away fixtures.

The Cherries' form has tailed off in recent months which scuppered their chances of being in the conversation to qualify for Europe, but they can help ensure that City have work to do on the final day of the campaign.

Erling Haaland to score anytime

How many sliding doors moments are there in football? They're countless and one of the biggest ones on Saturday was City's top scorer, Erling Haaland, handing over the penalty kick in a chance to bring his team level, to Omar Marmoush.

Henderson kept out the Egyptian's effort and it felt from that moment that it was going to be Palace's day. Some fans, both City and neutral, were quick to criticise Haaland for shirking responsibility. After all, he is their best goalscorer.

The Norwegian only recently returned from injury, though, and that likely played into the decision - but it could've been planned that Marmoush would be the penalty taker before the game anyway.

Haaland has not had the season that most would've expected, but this has been reflected by City's own regression. He still has 21 goals which is still a fantastic haul in the Premier League.

This is a massive game for City as a trophy-less campaign coupled with no Champions League football is likely to have a significant impact on revenue. Haaland is one of the few players in this team who can step up and deliver, but of course he needs service.

He has two goals in his last four appearances in the top flight (either side of his injury absence) and he did also score against Bournemouth when they met in the FA Cup quarter-finals in March.

Manchester City vs Bournemouth Odds

Over 2.5 goals

I think there will be goals on offer in this clash and I like the look of over 2.5 on Tuesday. This has been a winning selection in three of the past five Premier League games at the Etihad, while the FA Cup meeting between the two teams in March also featured three goals.

For Bournemouth, over 2.5 goals has struck in 12 of their previous 13 away trips in the top flight, so I think it's fair to assume we will be treated to goals in east Manchester.

Adam Smith to be carded

This Bet Builder is rounded off with a player card and I think Adam Smith stands out above the rest. The veteran full-back has been carded on seven occasions in the league for Bournemouth this term, with three coming in his last five appearances.

The Englishman has been booked in his last two outings in a Cherries shirt and I think he offers good value to go into the book again. He has shown that he has trouble up against tricky wingers with pace. Smith is likely going to be tasked with marking either Jeremy Doku and Marmoush, who both have pace and trickery in abundance.

Offers

Double Delight & Hat-Trick Heaven: Get double or treble the odds if your winning First Goalscorer bet scores a 2nd and 3rd

Acca Flex: Place a pre-match 5+ leg Football accumulator and get a CASH bonus up to 100% if all of your selections win or your money back as CASH if one leg lets you down

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