Manchester City vs Bournemouth
24th September 1945hrs
Football – England – EFL Cup
Pick Home Win HT/FT
Bookmaker Unibet
Odds: 11/10 odds taken 1715 GMT, Wednesday 23 September
Carabao Cup holders Manchester City start the defence of their crown with a game against EFL Championship side Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday night. As you would expect, Man City are the overwhelming favourites to get the win and seal a passage through to round four. We have the best betting odds and top tips.
Table of Contents
Manchester City Preview – Holders to start defence of crown with victory?
Due to their involvement in the latter stages of last season’s UEFA Champions League, which only ended last month, Manchester City have played just one competitive game this term.
Pep Guardiola’s boys were the last club to start the 2020-21 Premier League season, and it was certainly worth the wait for the City fans. The Citizens were irresistible at times at Molineux on Monday, with Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden and Gabriel Jesus netting in a deserved 3-1 win.
Man City have an outstanding record in this competition in recent years, winning it five times since 2014. City have won each of the last three EFL Cups under Guardiola, beating Aston Villa in last term’s final. On their way to the 2020 final, City beat the likes of Preston North End, Southampton, Oxford United and fierce rivals Manchester United.
City are the bookies’ favourites to retain the trophy in 2021. Can the Manchester giants get off to a winning start in the competition in midweek?
Bournemouth Preview – Cherries to come up short in Manchester?
Bournemouth were relegated from the Premier League last season. Despite an excellent 3-1 win at Everton on the final day, they finished a point behind 17th-place Aston Villa.
The Cherries have no plans of staying in the Championship for long, though. Jason Tindall, who was long-term assistant to Eddie Howe, is now in charge of the Dorset club. Bournemouth are one of the favourites for promotion from this season’s Championship.
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Tindall’s team have started their season well, winning two and drawing one of three league and cup matches so far. On the opening weekend of the league campaign, Bournemouth beat Blackburn Rovers 3-2 in a five-goal thriller at the Vitality Stadium, which they followed up with a 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough last Saturday.
In the previous round of the Carabao Cup, Bournemouth edged past Premier League Crystal Palace at the Vitality. After a goalless draw in normal time, the Cherries went on to win 11-10 on penalties. Can they shock top-flight opposition again on Thursday?
Manchester City vs Bournemouth Betting Advice
Man City have a stunning recent record over Bournemouth. The Citizens have won each of the last ten meetings, scoring a staggering 35 goals along the way. The Manchester giants should make it 11 in a row on Thursday.
Key Facts – Manchester City vs Bournemouth Betting Tip
- Man City have won each of their last ten matches against Bournemouth, scoring 35 goals to boot
- City won their last eight home league and cup games last season
- Bournemouth are unbeaten in three at the start of this season, winning two and drawing one
Pep will undoubtedly make changes to his lineup for this one, but City should still be too strong for their Championship opponents at the Etihad. There is good value in Unibet’s 11/10 for the home side to be winning at half time and full time.
After sitting on the bench at Molineux, Riyad Mahrez could be unleashed on Thursday. The Algerian is available at 11/2 to open the scoring in this one.
The best betting odds for Manchester City vs Bournemouth
Manchester City to win: 4/9 at Bet365
Draw: 4/1 at Bet365
Bournemouth to win: 11/2 at Bet365
