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Bournemouth hosts top club Manchester City on a Saturday afternoon clash at Vitality Stadium on the South Coast. The Cherries managed to draw Newcastle at St. James’ Park in an inspiring outing last weekend, while City needed only one goal to inch past Brentford at home. Can Bournemouth keep things interesting at home before their 5th round FA Cup tie on Tuesday? Read on to access an expert Bournemouth vs Man City prediction and explore stats and the latest Manchester City odds in 2024.
- AFC Bournemouth vs Manchester City FC, English Premier League
- February 24, 2024
- 12:30 PM EST
- Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
- NBC
Bournemouth vs Manchester City Prediction: Who do Sportsbooks Favor?
The bookmakers are giving Bournemouth little hope of a homecoming party this weekend, as they are priced at just (+610) to win. This indicates a win probability of 14.1%. The visiting Cityzens will hope to live up to their price tag of (-233), a tall order for any club traveling away from home. A draw, which would satisfy the hosts, is lined at (+415).
Premier League 
Bournemouth +610 +525 +525 +525 +525 Man City -233 -235 -235 -240 -240 Draw +415 +400 +400 +400 +400
Want to better understand the 3-way moneyline (1X2) market? See our soccer betting tips and learn about English Premier League betting odds.
Bournemouth Team News and Recent Games
While Bournemouth have not won a league game since the turn of the new year, their performances are better than initially suggested. Draws against Newcastle and West Ham are commensurate with a club that should remain outside of relegation discussions. Additionally, an away victory in their FA Cup tie against Queens Park Rangers is nothing to shrug off. However, their performances against top-tier competition have left a lot to be desired.
The challenges have been compounded by injury woes, as Max Aarons, Tyler Adams, Ryan Fredericks, and James Hill are sidelined with long-term injuries. Philip Billing remains unavailable due to suspension to boot, following his red card against Nottingham Forest.
In their recent six home fixtures in the Premier League, the Cherries have secured victories in three matches (with two draws and one loss). These wins came against Fulham, Newcastle, and Burnley.
Manchester City Recent Form and Injury Updates
Following a minor setback at home against Chelsea, Manchester City narrowly secured a victory against Brentford, keeping them in the three-way Premier League title race alongside Liverpool and Arsenal. Pep Guardiola’s reigning English champions find themselves within four points of league leaders Liverpool, who won against Luton Town in their subsequent match (having played one more game), and one point ahead of Arsenal as they head into the weekend’s fixtures.
City’s once potent attack has fallen flat as of late, mustering just a goal apiece in their last two games. The club, as it so often has, will look to Erling Haaland for firepower. But the Norwegian starlet has been unable to score in his last two league away matches. A bagel on Saturday would mark the second instance in which he has gone three consecutive away games without finding the back of the net. The previous occurrence was from January to February last year.
Jack Grealish and Josko Gvardiol are expected to remain sidelined due to injuries. Kevin De Bruyne’s hamstring issue will be evaluated closer to kickoff, as he was not risked in the midweek match. Pep Guardiola might be inclined to maintain the same four-man defense, having achieved only their third clean sheet in the last 15 league matches against Brentford. However, Nathan Ake is eager to start against his former club.
Bournemouth vs Manchester City Prediction and Free Betting Pick
I think Bournemouth will be able to score on Manchester City with supporters behind them. Guardiola’s side hasn’t exactly been watertight at the back this season, although recent performances have been solid. What mostly makes me concerned about City’s potential in this matchup is the lack of rest. Man City was pushed to the brink against a spirited Brentford outfit on Tuesday, and now must travel to Bournemouth to play a club that has eagerly been awaiting them for a week now.
While I would typically be much more interested in backing Bournemouth, their terrible past against the club donning sky blue has not escaped me. In Premier League history, Manchester City boasts a flawless record against Bournemouth, winning all 13 of their encounters. Guardiola has been present for 12 of their meetings against the Cherries across various competitions, securing the maximum haul in all of them with an impressive aggregate scoreline of 37-7. This stands as his highest 100% win ratio against any opponent throughout his managerial career
In conclusion, I think Bournemouth can score but will not prevent being scored upon, and may even fail to do so miserably. Give me both the over 2.5 total goals and Bournemouth +1.25 each for a half unit. This will cover us in multiple scenarios and pay out well in the event Bournemouth ripples the net but manages to still lose.
Top Sportsbooks for Manchester City Odds
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