Bournemouth vs Man City Premier League preview, team news and prediction

View Image

Manchester City travel to the south coast as they look to keep their hopes of Premier League glory after their FA Cup win at the weekend but face a Bournemouth side with Champions League football in their sights. If leaders Arsenal do what is expected against Burnley on Monday, Pep Guardiola’s side will need to win on the South Coast to keep the race going until the final day.

The bookies have the visitors priced at 4/6 favourites with BetGoodwin while Sky Bet have Bournemouth at 10/3 to keep their European dream going and a draw is 3/1 with Paddy Power . You can also find more betting offers at the Mirror Betting Hubs Free Bets offers .

City have already collected two more trophies than Arsenal this season and could still complete a domestic treble as EFL Cup and FA Cup holders, although Saturday’s FA Cup success did not spark scenes of chaos. Antoine Semenyo’s lone goal against Chelsea sealed the 2025-26 final, delivering Guardiola a 20th major trophy in charge (including Community Shields) and making him the first manager to win at least three Premier League titles, three European Cups, three EFL Cups and three FA Cups.

But celebration could quickly give way to disappointment. City sit two points behind Arsenal, and that gap would temporarily grow to five if the Gunners avoid a shock slip-up 24 hours before City kick off. In that case, City would be guaranteed second place with anything other than a win against Bournemouth.

They do at least arrive in strong form, unbeaten in 10 across all competitions and winning nine of those. City are also unbeaten in their last 10 domestic away games, with four clean sheets in their last five, though they have not won any of their last four Premier League visits to South Coast sides.

Bournemouth, meanwhile, are on the longest unbeaten run in the league this season — 16 matches. A lack of wins held them back earlier in that sequence, but the Cherries have started turning draws into victories, winning four of their last five after a run of six draws in seven between early February and late March.

A superb Rayan strike settled last weekend’s 1-0 win over Fulham, and Iraola’s side still have a genuine chance of catching fifth-placed Liverpool, who are four points clear having played a game more. The Vitality has also been a fortress: only City (one) have lost fewer home matches than Bournemouth (two) in 2025-26, with only Arsenal and Everton leaving with all three points.

Iraola also oversaw a 2-1 win over City in this fixture last season — Bournemouth’s lone Premier League victory from 17 meetings with the champions, with City winning the other 16.

New customers can enjoy £15 in free bets with BetGoodwin when they sign-up using promo code WELCOME15 and bet £10 on any sports market at the minimum odds. Here is your step-by-step guide on how to get that during the business-end of the football season:

18+ | Gamble responsibly | gambleaware.org | Odds subject to change

City had just one concern going into the FA Cup final in Rodri, but the midfielder started and got 65 minutes at Wembley, leaving Pep Guardiola with a full squad for the trip to Bournemouth.

Omar Marmoush was taken off at half-time against Chelsea, though it was a tactical change after he struggled to influence the game in Rayan Cherki’s role. Cherki is expected to return to the starting XI, while Rodri should also come back in ahead of Nico Gonzalez, who did not feature in the Wembley squad.

Bournemouth will be without Ryan Christie, sent off against Fulham and now banned for the rest of the season. His absence could bring Tyler Adams straight back into the side, although Lewis Cook may also be an option if he recovers from a thigh problem.

Julio Soler remains out with a thigh injury, and right-back Alex Jimenez has been suspended by the club while an investigation into serious social-media allegations continues.

READ MORE: Free Bets & Bookmaker Sign Up Offers

Reach plc is committed to promoting safer gambling. All of our content and recommended bets are advised to those aged 18 or over. Odds are subject to change too.