Manchester City have been on a roll this season ever since Pep Guardiola took charge and are currently on a 7-match unbeaten streak which is looking likely to be 8 by the time Manchester City are done with the 90 minutes against Bournemouth on Saturday. Pep has enthused a new team spirit and majority of the players are looking transformed this season. The likes of Sergio Aguero can’t seem to stop scoring goals and the usual suspects Fernandinho and De Bruyne have been resplendent all over the pitch. David Silva has been a player reborn and has been the creative pulse of the team. While the team has been getting off the blocks in every match, the issue of sustaining the same level of performance throughout the 90 minutes will be the target in the next game.
Bournemouth will be prepared to sit tight throughout the game as they would be knowing that leaving any gaps in the midfield will be akin to a suicidal move. City will look to move the ball around quickly and it will need Bournemouth’s best performances from the players to nick something from the Etihad. Guardiola will have no space for any sort of complacency in his team and will demand 100% from all his players.
T4O’s PREDICTED MANCHESTER CITY LINE-UP AGAINST BOURNEMOUTH (4-1-4-1)
DEFENCE
Claudio Bravo will continue between the sticks and will look to further his integration into the team. Bacary Sagna is in line to start with Stones and Otamendi as the preferred options in defence. Pep might well select Kolarov as a central defender and use Clichy at left-back.
MIDFIELD
Fernandinho is likely to feature in front of the defence and continue his impeccable start to the season. Gundogan got his debut and might be drafted in for his first Premier League game. His usual pair of No.8’s of David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne might be disturbed, with Silva picking up a knock in training. In that case Fabian Delph can also step into midfield. Fernando is also an option for the Catalan.
ATTACK
Out wide also, Pep has lots of options at his disposal with Nolito expected to earn a recall after being rested in midweek. He is likely to be on the left-flank. Leroy Sane might be in line for his first Premier League start after a couple of substitute appearances. Kelechi Iheanacho will get another start in the absence of the suspended Aguero.
