The Game
Manchester City return from the international break hosting AFC Bournemouth at home, but David Silva and Sergio Agüero will not be available.
The Spanish midfielder and Argentinian forward are both left with injuries following their international commitments, meaning a shuffle to the side that shamed Newcastle 6-1.
It was a desperately needed victory following two Premier League upsets in the weeks before to Tottenham and West Ham.
Bournemouth have had their share of absences as their list of injuries has grown.
Star striker Callum Wilson is still out with a ruptured knee ligament whilst captain, Tommy Elphick, has also been ruled out with ankle surgery.
Cherries have obtained eight points from their first eight matches in the Premier League but have lost three of their four games away.
They’ll be hoping for a shock result when they visit Manchester City on Saturday, which marks 28 years since the sides first clashed.
The History
Bournemouth enjoyed a very memorable trip to Maine Road in 1989 that very nearly prevented the promotion of the Sky Blues.
Two minutes into the game and City had the upper hand and by halftime they were leading 3-0 through goals from Paul Moulden (2) and Trevor Morley (1).
A series of errors plagued Manchester City throughout the second half and all-hard work seemed to come undone as Bournemouth scored twice to get them back in the game.
Deep into injury time, a clumsy challenge from Andy Hinchcliffe inside the penalty box gave Bournemouth a chance to tie things up.
Luther Blissett smashed home the spot-kick on the ninety-seventh minute to secure the visitors a vital point and leave the Blues’ potential promotion, in limbo.
Manchester City fought to get their happy ending through an improved performance against Bradford a week later and obtained promotion with a 1-1 draw.
Team News
Wilfried Bony is set to make a rare start for City in place for Sergio Agüero who is out with a hamstring injury.
David Silva and Alexander Kolarov are also both out with ankle and hamstring injuries.
Bournemouth captain Tommy Elphick has been ruled out of the squad for ten weeks following ankle surgery.
Whereas Cherries midfielder, Harry Arter, will soon be ready to make an impact should he fully recover from a groin injury after playing for the Under-21s midweek.
Match Prediction
Manchester City 2 – 0 AFC Bournemouth
Although both sides have been cursed with injuries to their best players, it is City who are likely to come out on top in this Premier League clash. Sky Blues winger Kevin De Bruyne is in fine form and will be a handful for a Cherries defense who have only managed one clean sheet in the league this season.
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