Is City flexing their attacking muscles?
After losing the FA Community Shield, Manchester City showed an act of defiance in their Premier League season opener to take their first three points in the English top flight against WHU. New summer signing Haaland scored twice in the win over the Londoners and was instrumental in his side’s success.
Saturday is the second matchday in the 2022/23 Premier League for the championship favourites from Manchester. Head coach Pep Guardiola’s team will face promoted Bournemouth at home and are clear favourites. Currently, odds of just 1.07 are offered on Manchester City vs Bournemouth for a bet on the Citizens.
The bookmakers’ comparatively clear assessment is by no means surprising. The Sky Blues from Manchester have won the last eleven matches against the Cherries from Bournemouth. The last time was in September 2020, where City claimed a 2-1 win in the EFL Cup.
When you consider how strong Guardiola’s side were in their home games last season, even a second-day shootout cannot be ruled out. In the 2021/22 season, the Sky Blues scored 58 goals in 19 games at the Etihad Stadium – an average of more than three goals per league game.
Manchester City – Statistics & current form
City have made a successful start to the new season. After the defeat in the English Super Cup, Guardiola’s team showed a defiant reaction and picked up three important points in London. With the 2-0 win against WHU, the defending champions from Manchester also ended their ongoing away misery against the Hammers. City last won a match at WHU in August 2019.
The first competitive match of the 2022/23 season is against AFC Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium. Across competitions, City have not lost a competitive match at the Etihad since February 2022. In any case, the Himmelblauen were one of the strongest teams at home in the English top flight last season. In 19 matches, only Liverpool scored more points at home than City.
It is quite possible that this will be continued this season. Saturday’s opponents from Bournemouth come in handy. So far in PL history, City have won every first league game against the Cherries, giving them a 100% win rate against the promoted side.
Will the winning streak be extended against Bournemouth?
Ahead of the match against the Cherries, the record in the first home game of a new league season is also encouraging. In the last 22 seasons, City have only lost their first game at home once. In return, there have already been 15 wins and six draws at home to start the season.
In the last four seasons, City have scored a total of 15 goals in their first game at the Etihad Stadium – an average of more than three goals per game. Guardiola’s charges will be looking to improve on that statistic this season. There is undoubtedly enough offensive power in the Citizens’ ranks to do so. In addition, City will be spared any double burden at the beginning of the season.
Against the Cherries, City coach Guardiola will only have to do without Aymeric Laporte due to injury. There are no other absences for the defending champions from Manchester. The Citizens are not expected to make any major changes from their last starting eleven.
Predicted Manchester City line-up:
Ederson; Walker, Dias, Stones, Cancelo; Gundogan, Rodri, De Bruyne; Foden, Haaland, Grealish
Last matches played by Manchester City:
Premier League
07/08/2022 – West Ham 0 – 2 Manchester City
Community Shield
30/07/2022 – Liverpool FC 3 – 1 Manchester City
Club Friendlies
24/07/2022 – Bayern Munich 0 – 1 Manchester City
21/07/2022 – Manchester City 2 – 1 CF America
Premier League
22/05/2022 – Manchester City 3 – 2 Aston Villa
Bournemouth – Statistics & current form
The return to the English top flight could not have gone better for AFC Bournemouth. The promoted side celebrated a 2-0 win over AVFC last week and picked up three important points in the fight to stay in the league. This week, the Cherries face their first acid test in the Premier League.
Saturday’s opponents Manchester City are not only the defending league champions but also the Cherries’ big fear opponents. AFC Bournemouth have lost their last eleven competitive games against City. On top of that, head coach Scott Parker also has a miserable record (0-0-4) against the Citizens.
However, bettors looking to back Manchester City vs Bournemouth can pick up betting odds in excess of the 40.00 mark if the promoted team is successful.
Can the Cherries’ defensive bulwark withstand the City attack?
What was most commendable last week was the strong showing from the defence. Over 90 minutes, Bournemouth at least held AVFC’s high-powered attack at bay. It was the fourth game in a row in which head coach Parker’s team did not concede a goal.
It is unlikely that the same streak will be continued against Saturday’s powerful attacking force. Since February 1999, AFC Bournemouth have not kept a clean sheet in a single competitive match against the Himmelblauen from Manchester. It is quite possible that the negative trend will continue this time.
The Cherries will be without three players on Saturday, Brooks, Rothwell and Fredericks, due to injury. There are no other absentees for the promoted side.
Predicted Bournemouth line-up:
Travers; Smith, Kelly, Mepham, Lerma, Zemura; Tavernier, Pearson, Billing, Solanke; Moore
Last games played by Bournemouth:
Premier League
06/08/2022 – Bournemouth 2 – 0 Aston Villa
Friendly club matches
30/07/2022 – Bournemouth 1 – 2 Real Sociedad
23/07/2022 – Bournemouth 0 – 1 Bristol City
20/07/2022 – Braga 2 – 1 Bournemouth
15/07/2022 – Bournemouth 2 – 1 Sheffield Wednesday
Manchester City – Bournemouth Direct comparison / H2H record
Manchester City have held the upper hand in the last 15 meetings between the two clubs. The Himmelblauen have won 14 out of a total of 15 games against the Cherries, while one match ended in a draw. The last time Guardiola’s side met Bournemouth was in the 2020 EFL Cup. The Citizens prevailed 2-1 at the Etihad on that occasion.
Manchester City – Bournemouth Tip
Manchester City are again among the hottest Championship favourites in the English top flight this season. The Citizens were crowned champions last season in a thrilling season-ending battle with Liverpool FC. Only a single point separated the two top clubs in the final table.
The start of the 2022/23 season was therefore all the more pleasing for City. While head coach Guardiola’s team celebrated a win at WHU, their championship rivals from Liverpool dropped important points in the title race on the very first matchday. In their second game of the season, City will face their favourite opponents Bournemouth.
Just like the Himmelblauen, the promoted side also started the PL season with three points. The Cherries prevailed at home against AVFC. Bournemouth were partly inferior in terms of play. Nevertheless, the team of head coach Parker got three important points.
This time we tend to rule out a point for the Cherries. Not only because City are a power at the Etihad Stadium, but also because Bournemouth have lost their last eleven games against the Citizens.
We therefore expect a defeat for the promoted team this time as well and place our bet on Manchester City vs Bournemouth at reasonable odds on a home win with at least a three-goal lead. We are betting five out of a possible ten units on this one.
