Bournemouth – Manchester City. Predicted line-ups and latest news

Today, within the framework of the 26th round of the English Premier League, the match of the country's champion, Manchester City, will take place as they travel to face Bournemouth.

• Bournemouth vs Manchester City prediction and betting tips on February 24, 2024

Manchester City needs a victory to once again reduce the gap to Liverpool to just one point, while Bournemouth needs to secure any points to further distance themselves from the relegation zone.

Many renowned resources, such as Sofascore, Fotmob, Besoccer, and Whoscored, have already put forward their assumptions about the possible starting line-ups for each team. The authoritative British publication, Mirror, has also joined in.

First and foremost, it is worth noting that both teams have some absences ahead of the match.

Bournemouth will be without Maximilian Aaron, Tyler Adams, Philip Billing, Ryan Fredericks, and James Hill. Additionally, the participation of Roman Fevrier remains questionable. Manchester City has fewer losses, though they include some key players. João Cancelo and Jack Grealish are sidelined due to injuries and will not be able to take the field.

Regarding Bournemouth's starting lineup, all the aforementioned sources diverge in opinion regarding one midfielder.

In goal, Norberto Murara Neto is expected to start, with Lloyd Kelly, Marcos Senesi, Ilya Zabarnyi, and Adam Smith in defense. In the midfield, Lewis Cook, Ryan Christie, Marcus Tavernier, and Antuan Semenyo are expected to start, but the choice for the central position remains uncertain. According to Besoccer, it will be Justin Kluivert, while all other sources believe the coach will prefer Alex Scott. The lone forward will likely be Dominic Solanke.

• Predicted Bournemouth line-up:
  Neto – Kelly, Senesi, Zabarnyi, Smith – Cook, Christie, Tavernier, Kluivert/Scott, Semenyo – Solanke

Regarding Manchester City's starting lineup, sources differ in opinion regarding the tactical formation Pep Guardiola will choose, leading to variations in the predicted lineup.

In goal, Ederson is expected to start. According to Sofascore and Fotmob, the coach will opt for a formation with three defenders, consisting of Nathan Ake, Rúben Dias, and Kyle Walker. However, other sources suggest Guardiola will prefer a formation with four defenders, with John Stones as the fourth, and Manuel Akanji might replace Ake on the left flank, according to Besoccer.

Similar differences can be observed in midfield. Sofascore and Fotmob predict the inclusion of Rodri, John Stones, Phil Foden, Julian Alvarez, and Bernardo Silva, with uncertainty regarding one player. It could be either Mateo Kovacic or Kevin De Bruyne. In other sources, the tactical formation includes five midfielders, aligning with the earlier predictions, except that Whoscored places Jeremy Doku on the left flank.

The lone forward will undoubtedly be the Norwegian star of the club, Erling Haaland.

• Predicted Manchester City line-up:
  Ederson – Ake/Akanji, Dias, Walker – Stones/Doku, Rodri, Foden, Alvarez, Silva, Kovacic/De Bruyne – Haaland

Sofascore

Fotmob

Whoscored

It is worth reminding that the kickoff for the match is scheduled for 18:30 Central European Time.