The Matchday 37 encounter in the Premier League between Manchester City and Bournemouth will take place on May 20 at the Etihad Stadium. Manchester City vs. Bournemouth: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Manchester City
The Citizens are playing their 37th round match later than all their competitors in the battle for the Champions League spots. The match was rescheduled due to their involvement in the FA Cup final, which they lost 0-1 to Crystal Palace. Consequently, Pep Guardiola's side is finishing the season without any trophies. The minimum task remains to finish in the top 5. Note the current form of the club: an unbeaten run in the Premier League that stretches to eight matches, with Manchester City winning five and drawing three.
- No more than three goals have been scored in 6 of the last 7 matches of the Citizens in the Premier League.
- Manchester City has a four-match winning streak at home in the league.
- The team has scored at least two goals in 7 of their last 9 home Premier League matches.
Predicted lineup for Manchester City (4-2-3-1)
Ederson – Rico Lewis, Josko Gvardiol, Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias – Mateo Kovacic, Bernardo Silva – Kevin De Bruyne, James McAtee, Phil Foden – Erling Haaland.
Defenders Nathan Ake and John Stones are in the club's infirmary. Participation of midfielder Rodri Hernandez and forward Oscar Bobb is still in question due to poor physical condition.
Bournemouth
This season is the best for the club in the history of their Premier League performances. Previously, the team never scored more than 50 points. It seems that Andoni Iraola's side will finish in the middle of the table. Before the start of the round, Bournemouth is 10th but has noticeably fallen behind the European competition zone. In the last round, the club lost 0-1 at home to Aston Villa, but it should be noted that before this, they had a five-match unbeaten run in the league (2 wins and 3 draws).
- In the last 11 Premier League games, the club has won only two (4 draws and 5 losses).
- Both teams scored in 7 of Bournemouth's last 10 Premier League matches.
- Exactly one goal was scored in the first half in 8 of the team's last 11 league games.
Predicted lineup for Bournemouth (4-2-3-1)
Kepa Arrizabalaga – Adam Smith, Illya Zabarnyi, Milos Kerkez, Dean Donny Heysen – Lewis Cook, Tyler Adams – Alex Scott, Antoine Semenyo, Marcus Tavernier – Evanilson.
Referee
Thomas Bramall (England)
Matches – 9 (Premier League, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 29;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.2;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 21;
Penalties – 22%.
Match Prediction: Manchester City vs. Bournemouth
It seemed that the Citizens had already overcome the crisis they faced at the end of last year. After all, the team hasn't lost in the league for eight matches, but the last round showed that it's too early to talk about a full recovery. Manchester City unexpectedly drew with Southampton, failing to score against an outsider who has conceded the most goals in the Premier League this season. But the problems didn't end there – over the weekend, the Citizens failed to score again, losing 0-1 in the FA Cup final.
Despite the lack of tournament motivation, the visitors could spring a surprise and take advantage of the hosts' recent "dry" series. After all, Bournemouth has lost only once in their last 12 away matches in the Premier League, winning 6 and drawing 5. Furthermore, in their last 15 away Premier League matches, Andoni Iraola's side has only lost to Liverpool by two or more goals. Therefore, in my opinion, even if Bournemouth loses, it will be by a minimal margin.
My prediction – Bournemouth with a handicap (+1.5)