Bournemouth v Manchester City
Saturday 2nd March 1500rs
Football – England – Premier League
Pick Both teams to score
Bookmaker Betfred
Odds: 10/11 (odds taken 20.00 GMT, Thursday 28th February)
It’s looking increasingly likely that this is going to be a title race that goes to the wire, making every single point vital for Manchester City. They travel to Bournemouth on Saturday in what could well be a tricky encounter for the current champions.
Premier League Betting at Betfred
Bournemouth Preview
Things are just beginning to slip for Bournemouth and although they are in no danger of being relegated, Eddie How will be looking for them to regain some form and attempt to finish as high in the table as possible. Wednesday’s 5-1 defeat away to Arsenal was their third loss in four matches and ensuring they went through the whole of February without winning a game. Their last win was actually that excellent 4-0 success at home to Chelsea towards the end of January but it’s a victory they have been unable to build on. Howe has earned many plaudits and is regarded by many as one of the best up and coming managers in England, but there is still that doubt about his ability to change his style when required. Bournemouth’s away performances, especially, have left a lot to be desired and the issue has become more pronounced this season with three defeats and 11 losses. Now draws on the road indicate that their bold, attacking approach to games is built on some naivety, as is the fact they have conceded the second most away goals in the Premier League. A return to the Vitality Stadium on Saturday will certainly boost their chances of getting points considering how much more competitive they are at home.
Key-Facts – Bournemouth v Manchester City
- City can go back to the top of the league with at least a point as Liverpool play day later
- Bournemouth have not won a game since their thumping 4-0 win at home to Chelsea in January
- Both teams have scored in eight of Bournemouth’s 14 home Premier League games this season
Manchester City Preview
City secured the first piece of silverware in the English season last week with a penalty shootout win over Chelsea at Wembley. It was an instantly forgettable final (for the football, at least) but Pep Guardiola will not be bothered by that as his team retain the EFL Cup they won 12 months ago in what they hope will be the first of four trophies this season. There was little time for City to enjoy that cup win as they returned to league action at home to West Ham in midweek. A 1-0 win courtesy of a Sergio Aguero penalty does not leap out as being an overly impressive performance but all that matters at the moment is picking up the win and three points to keep the pressure on Liverpool at the top of the table who hold a one point advantage. With Jurgen Klopp’s men playing a day later, the trip to Bournemouth provides City with an opportunity to go back top and put the pressure on their title rivals who have a trip to Everton in the Merseyside derby. Swapping places has been the way of it for a few weeks now and looks set to continue which makes it great for the neutral.
Bournemouth v Manchester City Betting Preview
I mentioned Bournemouth’s poor away record and City inflicted one of their 11 defeats when the two sides met at the Etihad back in December. It was a 3-1 win on that occasion but it was arguably one of their better performances on the road. Howe will certainly be hoping to be just as competitive on Saturday, if not more so, as his team look to get back to winning ways. That will be a tough ask against the champions of course, but they are unbeaten at home in the league in their last five matches at the Vitality – winning three. For the visitors, they have had their moments on the road already this season with three losses in their last six away games but in general it’s been a successful start to 2019.
In terms of a selection for this game, I am really keen on both teams to score. Eight of Bournemouth’s 14 home games in the league have ended this way and combine that with City conceded in five of their last eight away games in the Premier League, there is plenty of encouragement that the home team can cause their opponents problems in an attacking sense, whilst City virtually always score.
