Man City vs Bournemouth LIVE: Premier League score, stats & updates

'City need other players to step up'

Manchester City v Bournemouth (16:30 GMT)

Chris Sutton

Former Premier League striker

Manchester City have won all eight of their home Premier League games against Bournemouth since 2015, scoring 31 goals and conceding five, but I still don't think anyone will be overly confident they will beat the Cherries this time.

City are so reliant on their big number nine and their big goalkeeper this season, and that has to change. They need other players to step up.

It also feels like a mistake for Pep Guardiola to ignore the rise in the importance in set-pieces - City are the only Premier League team not to score from one this season.

He says he wants to focus on creating more chances in open play but it is proven that corners and throw-ins work, so my advice to Pep is that maybe it is time for him to get some big players in, and launch it!

I am tempted to go for Bournemouth to get at least a draw here because they will cut through City and get some chances, but instead I am going to be brave and back Erling Haaland and City, mainly because they are at home but also because they have Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal.

Bournemouth will score but City will win. I have got Cherries keeper Djordje Petrovic in my Fantasy team at the moment, so I need to move him out.

Sutton's prediction: 3-1

Check out Chris' other predictions for this weekend's matches.

'I hope we can be happy at the end of the game'

Manchester City v Bournemouth (16:30 GMT)

Manchester City

Manchester City's Nico Gonzalez speaking to Sky Sports: "It's really important. We are playing against a top team and now they are second. I hope we can be happy at the end of the game."

On what challenge Bournemouth pose: "We know how they play, how intense and aggressive they are. They run so much and make every game so hard."

On today being the first of three home games in a row: "To start with a win this week would be amazing. We have three really important challenges before the international break and I hope we get the three wins. Let's focus on today and next week we will see the next matches."

'We have never even got a point here'

Manchester City v Bournemouth (16:30 GMT)

Bournemouth

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola speaking to Sky Sports: "We know where we are coming. We have never even got a point here so we know it's going to be tough, but we arrive in a good spot. It's a good chance but we know it will be difficult."

On his team selection: "It's been very difficult for me to select the starting XI. Almost everyone has been available. From game to game we make not many changes."

On if this is Bournemouth's best chance to beat Man City away from home: "I hope we have a chance. We definitely need one of our best performances. I trust our players. We are competing really well. Let's see. We will give our best and let's see if it's enough."

'An honour for me to have seen these games close to him' - Guardiola on Foden

Manchester City v Bournemouth (16:30 GMT)

Shamoon Hafez

Football news reporter at Etihad Stadium

Manchester City will be aiming to return to winning ways in the Premier League today but face a tough task against high-flying Bournemouth.

Academy star Phil Foden is set to make his 200th top-flight appearance for the hosts and, if he was to achieve the feat, would become the youngest City player to reach the landmark.

Foden, 25, has been a constant during City's unprecedented period of success and has lifted six Premier League trophies, the Champions League and two FA Cups.

“It’s an honour for me to have seen these games close to him,” said boss Pep Guardiola.

“The impact he’s made for the club of his heart, it’s a good milestone especially at his age, I’d say.”

Guardiola wants other forwards to help Haaland more

Manchester City v Bournemouth (16:30 GMT)

Manchester City

Pep Guardiola insists Erling Haaland has no problem shouldering the burden of being Manchester City’s primary source of goals but has demanded his team-mates start doing more to help him out.

Haaland has scored 11 of City’s 17 Premier League goals this season, with Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, Phil Foden and Matheus Nunes the only other City players to have found the net in the league this term.

“I don’t think Erling is tired of scoring goals,” Guardiola said with a smile before today's home match against high-flying Bournemouth.

But nevertheless the City boss is trying to find fresh sources of goals now that both Omar Marmoush and Cherki are back from injury – both scoring in the 3-1 midweek Carabao Cup win at Swansea.

That was Marmoush’s first goal of the season after a knee injury cost him a month, while Cherki, who found the net in the opening 4-0 win over Wolves back in August, missed almost two months with a thigh injury.

“The numbers of the people up front have to be better,” Guardiola said. “They know it, we talk about it. We have players with the ability to score goals. Omar has it, I think Rayan Cherki has the talent. Phil does it."

'I never thought this day would come'

Manchester City v Bournemouth (16:30 GMT)

Bournemouth

Bournemouth's Marcus Tavernier speaking to Sky Sports on how high confidence is currently: "The confidence is really high at the moment but we know we have a tough game today. It's one of the hardest places to come but we are confident we can come away with something today."

On if this is Bournemouth's best chance to get a first win at the Etihad: "If we go on previous results we are in form and we are confident we can get something. We know it's going to be tough and we have to be on our A-game."

On reaching 100 games for the Cherries: "It's a special moment for me and my family. I never thought this day would come but it's great for it to happen and I'm grateful it's at a place like this."

'I don’t care about the positions right now'

Manchester City v Bournemouth (16:30 GMT)

Bournemouth

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola insisted it would be premature to celebrate the Cherries’ standing in the top flight, with them second in the table.

“For me, the 18 points is the most important thing,” he said. “We’ll play (Manchester) City away and (Aston) Villa away before the break. I would like to add more points.

“I don’t care about the positions right now. The league is so compact that one win, one loss, you go five, six positions up and down, so now it’s about the performances, how competitive we are.

“We will try to add what I know is going to be very difficult, to add more points before the break.”

Guardiola 'impressed' with consistent Bournemouth

Manchester City v Bournemouth (16:30 GMT)

Manchester City have won all eight of their previous Premier League meetings with Bournemouth at home, scoring 31 goals and conceding only five, but that record could face a stern test today.

Bournemouth’s superb start comes despite Andoni Iraola losing several key players in a busy summer as Dean Huijsen was sold to Real Madrid, Ilya Zabarnyi to Paris St Germain, Milos Kerkez to Liverpool and Dango Ouattara to Brentford.

“It (shows) how co-ordinated they are with the sporting director, the manager, the players with a clear philosophy that doesn’t change,” said City boss Pep Guardiola.

“The players change a lot of things but it is impressive when you lose three or four from the back four to PSG, Real Madrid and Liverpool and you reinvest in the team with new players. There is a lot of good work behind (the scenes).”

Asked how far Bournemouth could go this season, Guardiola added: “That’s a question for Iraola. I would say it’s just nine games but also in previous seasons, they’re consistent. The team, manager, players, a tough opponent, but we know that.”

Click here to read article