Manchester City vs AFC Bournemouth
English Carabao Cup
Date: Thursday, 24 September 2020
Kick-Off at 19.45 UK
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester.
Match preview
City 2019-20 campaign ended in disappointment as they release their grip on the Premier League title and falling short in the Champions League once again.
EFL Cup only their share of primary silver in an underwhelming campaign, Citizens overcome Aston Villa at Wembley before coronavirus pandemic struck.
Guardiola's men have won 17 of their last 18 games in the competition, the exception being the second leg semifinal loss to Manchester United last season that ultimately it does not matter.
They enter this match as favorites excessive, too, given that they have won their last 10 meetings with Bournemouth with an aggregate score of 30-5.
Each meeting is in the Premier League, with this first meeting between the sides in any cup competition.
City also looked sharp in their opening match of the campaign on Monday, viewed from Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-1 through goals from Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden and Gabriel Jesus.
However, Guardiola revealed after the game that he would field of children against Bournemouth, may provide hope Championship pulling off a major upset.
Since last defeat Bournemouth to City, they have suffered relegation to the Championship and replaced the long-serving boss Eddie Howe with Jason Tindall.
The Cherries have made a fairly positive start to their new term, following an opening day 3-2 victory over Blackburn Rovers with a 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough last time out.
It will be only the second time Bournemouth face EFL Cup holders, lost the match like any other 3-0 against Arsenal in 1987-1988.
Tindall is expected to go with a fairly strong starting lineup on Thursday, and the hope that can give City Bournemouth least run for their money in this latest clash.
News Team
Besides scaring end after Raul Jimenez's header, the city seems to have come a long way from their 3-1 win away to Wolves on Monday night with no fresh injury concerns. However, they are still far from full strength.
Along with the positive news COVID 19 Ilkay Gundogan test this, the city is closely monitoring Aymeric Laporte's recovery from the virus. Sergio Agüero is set to be out for two months while the trio of Bernardo Silva, João Cancelo and Eric García all doubt.
However, Guardiola admitted that he would turn to youth for Cup matches, said as quoted by the club's official website: ". Against Bournemouth we will play most of the players in the academy and try to keep up the energy for the Premier League "
Bournemouth, on the other hand, is fortunately free of fitness woes after Josh King returned to practice last week.
Manchester City vs Bournemouth Head-to-Head
Manchester City have won all 10 previous matches against the Cherries, scoring 30 goals in the process, while Bournemouth has managed just five goals in those games. The two teams last met in the Premier League in July, with City winning 2-1 at the Etihad.
Manchester City free form: W-W-W-L-W
AFC Bournemouth guide include: L-W-W-W-D
Manchester City vs Bournemouth prediction
Just three days after the match Manchester City will face Leicester City in the Premier League.
Considering there was Monday night action against Wolverhampton Wanderers, no doubt Pep Guardiola will shuffle the start list a bit. Citizens last time we watched the play is in a disappointing 3-1 loss to Lyon in the Champions League quarter-finals.
When it comes to the transfer, David Silva and Leroy Sane has left the Etihad. The Citizens are not extravagant when it comes to spending this time - the biggest acquisition was Nathan Ake from Bournemouth and Ferran Torres from Valencia.
Bournemouth has a solid start in the Championship, having won four points and scored nine goals in five matches in all competitions. Although we think Ceri will lose Citizens, backing house win and both teams to score feels like value.
Manchester City vs Bournemouth Betting Tips
Home win and both teams to score @ 2.75
Over 3.5 goals FT @ 2:10