AFC Bournemouth face Manchester City in a high-stakes FA Cup encounter at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday. The clash pits the reigning Premier League champions against a Bournemouth side comfortably in mid-table.
City, favoured to progress, will look to leverage their superior squad depth and tactical brilliance. Bournemouth will aim to defy the odds in one of football’s most prestigious knockout competitions. They will be looking to reach the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time in their history.
Meanwhile, City will be aiming to reach the FA Cup semi-finals for the seventh straight season. With the Premier League out of sight and having been knocked out of Europe, this is City’s only chance of winning silverware this season. They will be hoping to go one better than last season, when they were beaten in the final by Manchester United.
AFC BOURNEMOUTH VS MANCHESTER CITY PREVIEW
AFC Bournemouth come into this match in the middle of a challenging period. They have secured just one win, one draw, and suffered three defeats in their last five matches across all competitions. Their most recent outing – a 1-2 home loss against Brentford – exposed defensive frailties and highlighted their struggle for consistency. Manager Andoni Iraola’s high-pressing, fluid attacking approach has shown promise. However, injury setbacks and defensive lapses have hampered the Cherries’ overall performance.
Back in January, it looked plausable that Bournemouth could secure a European place through their league position. However, they have failed to win their last five matches, meaning the FA Cup might present their best opportunity. With Liverpool and Arsenal already eliminated, four of the eight quarter-finalists in this year’s FA Cup have never won the trophy. If Bournemouth can eliminate City, the whole competition will be blown right open.
There will arguably never be a better time as Man City are having a poor season by their standards. In their last five matches, City have recorded two wins, one draw, and two defeats. This basically sums up their whole season. However, their overall quality remains undeniable. Their recent 2-2 home draw against Brighton showcased both their attacking prowess and defensive vulnerability. With a squad brimming with world-class talent and depth, City are expected to exploit any weaknesses in Bournemouth’s defence.
A key talking point is the corresponding Premier League fixture, where Bournemouth stunned City with a 2-1 home win. This was their first ever victory against the Mancunian side.
Over the last five direct encounters between these two sides, Bournemouth have managed one win, while Manchester City have claimed four victories. It is a record that clearly favours City, although cup competitions always add an extra layer of intrigue.
Enes Unal and Adam Smith are both out for Bournemouth. There are doubts over Marcos Senesi (muscle), Julian Araujo and Luis Sinesterra (both hamstring).
Man City have a longer injury list. Rodri (knee), John Stones (thigh), Nathan Aké (foot), Manuel Akanji (muscle) and Oscar Bobb (leg) are all out of action. Ederson is a doubt with an abdominal issue.
PREDICTIONS FOR AFC BOURNEMOUTH VS MANCHESTER CITY
Bournemouth Win
Bournemouth will take confidence from their 2-1 win at the Vitality Stadium against City back in November. City’s form has not been the greatest either, with their last away game being a 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest.
Draw
A draw remains a possibility if Bournemouth can harness the spirit of their surprise victory earlier this season. However, the sheer quality of City makes this outcome less likely.
Manchester City Win
Given their superior league position, squad depth, and recent form, Manchester City are strong favourites to secure an away win. With odds of 2.21 available at 1win, backing City appears to be a prudent choice.
Betting Tip
Both Teams to Score
With Bournemouth’s tendency to find the net, albeit inconsistently, and City’s attacking firepower, betting on both teams to score offers attractive value. Both teams have scored in all of Bournemouth’s last four games, while the same is true of two of City’s last three matches. The last round of the FA Cup saw City beat Plymouth Argyle 3-1 and Bournemouth draw 1-1 against Wolves in 90 minutes.
AFC BOURNEMOUTH VS MANCHESTER CITY – HEAD-TO-HEAD AND KEY STATS
- Overall Head-to-Head: Manchester City have played Bournemouth on 21 occasions, with City winning 19 times. Bournemouth have won once – their last encounter – and there has been one draw. In their last five meetings across all competitions, Bournemouth have secured one win while City have won four times.
- Recent Direct Encounter: Bournemouth’s memorable 2-1 home win against City earlier this season serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of football.
- Recent Form: Bournemouth have struggled recently with one win, one draw and three defeats, whereas Manchester City have had two wins, one draw and two defeats in their last five games.
