It’s week three and Manchester City have already dropped points in the Premier League competition. That’s news because it happens ever so rarely. Man City thoroughly out-played Tottenham Hotspur at home last weekend, but thanks to some bad luck and a dose of VAR, came away from the game with one point, not three.
They’ll look to take it out on AFC Bournemouth this week in a Sunday afternoon clash at the Vitality Stadium. Let’s run through the team news for both sides, starting with the Citizens.
German winger Leroy Sane is out until the mid-winter with a cruciate ligament injury suffered in the Community Shield. Defender Benjamin Mendy (knee injury) remains a long-term absentee, but he could be back next month. You also won’t see fellow defender John Stones back in action again until September, due to his thigh injury.
No one is doubtful or suspended for City. For the MCFC starting XI prediction go here.
Same goes for Eddie Howe’s side, but they have a host of players out with injury, and the list consists of: Simon Francis (knee), Lewis Cook (knee), David Brooks (ankle), Dan Gosling (hip), Lloyd Kelly (ankle), and Junior Stanislas (hamstring).
Pep Guardiola Friday News Conference Video:
Kickoff: Sunday, August 25, 2pm, Vitality Stadium
Odds: Manchester City 3/14, Draw 7/1, Bournemouth 17/1
Match Official: Andre Marriner
Score prediction: Manchester City 3, AFC Bournemouth 0
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly appears on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
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