Manchester City must beat Bournemouth this evening to give themselves the best chance of qualifying for the Champions League.
Pep Guardiola’s side have dropped down to sixth in the Premier League due to other results, while they also come into this game after losing the FA Cup final.
A defeat to Crystal Palace at Wembley confirmed that this will be a trophy-less season for Man City, with their last hope for positivity being a top-five finish.
But with third to seventh being separated by one point, the run-in is set to be very tense for City, unless they win this clash.
Three points would put them in pole position to qualify for the Champions League heading into the final game day of the campaign.
Why is Man City vs Bournemouth on Tuesday night?
City will host Bournemouth on Tuesday, May 20, with kick-off at the Etihad Stadium set for 8pm.
However, their penultimate game was originally set to be played last Sunday until there was a change made to the schedule.
The fixture was pushed back due to Man City’s involvement in the FA Cup Final.
As that game was being played at Wembley on Saturday, Guardiola’s men couldn’t then play on Sunday, so things were shuffled around.
Confirming the change at the start of May, the Premier League stated: “Crystal Palace and Manchester City‘s progress to the FA Cup final has resulted in two Premier League fixtures being moved.
“Palace and Man City were due to play their respective home matches against Wolverhampton Wanderers and AFC Bournemouth on Sunday 18 May.
“But due to their involvement in the FA Cup final on Saturday 17 May, these fixtures have now been moved back to Tuesday 20 May instead.”
- Manchester City have won all seven of their Premier League home games against Bournemouth – only Arsenal (10 vs Stoke) and Manchester United (8 vs Wigan) have a better 100% home win rate against an opponent in the competition.
- Manchester City have won their final home league game in 10 of the last 11 seasons (D1), including each of the last eight. Their last defeat came in the 2012-13 campaign against Norwich (2-3).
- Bournemouth have lost their final away league game in both of the last two seasons, last doing so in three consecutive campaigns between 1989-90 and 1991-92.
Man City vs Bournemouth: talkSPORT coverage
talkSPORT will have coverage of the game presented by Hugh Woozencroft.
Commentary will come from Sam Matterface and former England defender Micky Gray.
To tune in to talkSPORT through the website, click HERE for the live stream.
Listen via the talkSPORT app here, or on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
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The game will also be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
- Manchester City have scored 13 goals from outside the box in the Premier League this season, more than any other side. However, Bournemouth have conceded just two goals from distance, fewer than anyone else.
- Bournemouth have had more shot-ending high turnovers than any other side in the Premier League this season (65). However, Man City have faced fewer shots from high turnovers than any other side in the competition this term (28).
- Manchester City have failed to score in six different Premier League games this season, as many as they had in 2022-23 (3) and 2023-24 (3) combined. It’s the most times they’ve failed to score in a single league campaign since 2015-16 (8).
Man City vs Bournemouth: Team news
Kevin De Bruyne will surely start in his last ever home game for Man City, sitting in behind Erling Haaland.
Meanwhile, Phil Foden is hoping to return to the team after being dropped for the FA Cup final, along with Rico Lewis.
Mateo Kovacic has picked up a knock, and he could remain with Rodri, John Stones and Nathan Ake on the sidelines.
As for Bournemouth, Dean Huijsen will still feature despite his move to Real Madrid already being announced.
Alex Scott, Dango Ouattara, Ryan Christie, Luis Sinisterra and Enes Unal are all set to miss out through injuries.
- Kevin De Bruyne has been directly involved in seven goals in his nine Premier League starts against Bournemouth (3 goals, 4 assists). If he plays, this will be his 142nd, and likely final, league appearance at the Etihad Stadium, with only David Silva (160) playing more at the ground in the top-flight.
- Evanilson has scored six goals in his last nine Premier League away starts for Bournemouth, including five in his last five. However, all six goals in this time have come in games played in London.
- Bournemouth have lost just one of their last 12 Premier League away games (W6 D5), going down 2-1 at Brighton in February.
Man City vs Bournemouth: What has been said?
De Bruyne will bring an end to 10 years of playing at the Etihad on Tuesday night against Bournemouth.
It’s going to be an emotional evening, with post-match tributes set to take place as he says goodbye to the Man City fans.
Manager Guardiola has spoken on De Bruyne, saying: “Kevin wants us to win the game to qualify for the Champions League next season.
“This is what Kevin wants. It could not be otherwise.
“Kevin will get or deserve what he deserves. That is the best moment and best compliment for his incredible trajectory and what he has done.
“I have said many times, without him and the other incredible other legends in the club it would not be possible what we have done these many, many years since Sheikh Mansour took over this club and run this club to reach another level.”
