Man City v Bournemouth predicted XI: Guardiola to drop Haaland, 4 changes
Manchester City host Bournemouth on Tuesday (20 May) evening, in what will be their first game since losing the FA Cup final.
Crystal Palace beat City 1-0 at Wembley, with Eberechi Eze scoring the only goal of the game, and Omar Marmoush missing a first-half penalty for Pep Guardiola’s side.
The Manchester side can’t take their foot off the gas in the Premier League either, with the fight for a Champions League place really hotting up.
After Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa, and Chelsea all won over the weekend, meaning there is just a single point separating third from seventh, with the top five qualifying for Europe’s elite competition.
City have the slight advantage of having a game in hand, but still need four points from their final two games, against Bournemouth and Fulham, to ensure Champions League football will remain at the Etihad.
Haaland out, Foden to start
In the FA Cup final, Erling Haaland passed up the opportunity of a penalty, instead allowing Marmoush to take the spot-kick, with the Egyptian seeing his effort saved by Dean Henderson.
It showed a lack of confidence, and perhaps that the Norwegian striker is not quite back to his best after a lengthy injury, which he ironically picked up against Bournemouth.
Guardiola doesn’t usually opt to bench his star striker, but if the former Dortmund man is not fully fit, Marmoush may be a better option up top.
Phil Foden is on a poor run of form for Man City, but after the FA Cup final defeat, he will likely get a chance ahead of Savinho on the right-hand side.
With Marmoush further forward, that will allow Kevin De Bruyne to play behind the striker, and Mateo Kovacic to provide some stability in the centre of midfield.
Guardiola said in his pre-match press conference that De Bruyne will get the “send-off he deserves”, hinting that the Belgian will start in his final ever appearance at the Etihad in a City shirt (BBC Sport).
At the back, Matheus Nunes could be preferred to Manuel Akanji, with Ederson replacing Stefan Ortega in goal.
Guardiola wants midfield reinforcements
There are strong rumours linking Man City to Florian Wirtz, as well as reports they are closing in on the purchase of Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan.
From these moves, it is abundantly clear that Guardiola is not currently satisfied with his midfield options and is looking to strengthen in the summer.
With Rodri out injured for the majority of the campaign, City have looked a shadow of the team they were, lacking control and poise.
If the Manchester side get it right in the transfer window though, they will be a force to be reckoned with once again next season.