Bournemouth vs Manchester City: FA Cup Quarterfinal Preview
Bournemouth and Manchester City meet at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday in what promises to be a real cup-tie. Both teams will be desperate to reach the FA Cup semifinals—and the prize money that comes with it.
Team News & Tactics
Bournemouth
Bournemouth are dealing with a few injury concerns. Luis Sinisterra, Adam Smith, Enes Unal and Julian Araujo are out. That leaves Milos Kerkez and Dean Huijsen serving suspensions. You’d expect Bournemouth to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation behind Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Kepa; Cook, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Soler; Adams, Scott; Semenyo, Brooks, Kluivert; Evanilson.
That pace on the wings—courtesy of Justin Kluivert and Antoine Semenyo—will be key for Andoni Iraola’s team as they look to catch Manchester City on the break.
Manchester City
Manchester City have their own injury worries: Rodri, John Stones, Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake are out. They’ll probably stick with that 4-2-3-1 formation Ederson Moraes will be in goal.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Lewis, Dias, Khusanov, Gvardiol; Gundogan, Gonzalez; Foden, De Bruyne, Doku; Haaland.
Kevin De Bruyne will be the one to watch as he creates chances for Erling Haaland and the wingers. City want to control possession and exploit Bournemouth’s weaknesses at the back.
Key Stats
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Manchester City have won five of their last six matches against Bournemouth.
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23 goals have been scored in the last six meetings between these two sides.
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Bournemouth have reached the FA Cup quarterfinals for only the third time in their history but have never advanced to the semifinals.
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Manchester City have made it to the FA Cup semifinals in each of the last six seasons.
Player to Watch
Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne remains the one player who can truly change the course of a match. Against a Bournemouth defence that’s been struggling to find its footing lately, De Bruyne will be the one to unlock those spaces and pick out Haaland—and others—for the goals they need. His ability to deliver in those key moments is what often makes all the difference.
Bournemouth vs Manchester City Prediction
Manchester City come into this one as favourites, despite their own recent ups and downs. Bournemouth’s injuries and suspensions will make life even tougher for them. While the Cherries might just catch a break through a counter or a set piece, Guardiola’s side should have the quality to secure a win—comfortably.
That said, Bournemouth do have some quality of their own. They might just find a way to cause City some problems.
Bournemouth 1-3 Manchester City
Bournemouth vs Manchester City Live Stream
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