Manchester City will be aiming to record back-to-back Premier League victories for the first time since crushing Bournemouth 5-1 in mid-October as they look to keep pace with the leading pack.

Manuel Pellegrini's side led the league then and felt certain they would be in contention for a third title in five years, but now they are struggling just to finish in the top four.

They have been boosted by the return of Kevin De Bruyne and Samir Nasri but will be without a whole host of other players, including Yaya Toure.

City, who are through to the Champions League quarter-finals, have taken just seven points from seven league matches and face a Cherries' side that are focused on securing a mid-table finish in the club's first season in the top flight.

Bournemouth were hammered at the Etihad Stadium in October, although Eddie Howe believes his side have improved greatly since that game.

Their run of three successive victories was ended by Tottenham last time out but they still have a healthy 12-point cushion to the bottom three.

Team news

Striker Joshua King and midfielder Harry Arter are doubts for Bournemouth's game against City at the Vitality Stadium.

King is suffering from a hamstring injury and Arter has an Achilles problem after being brought off in the 3-0 defeat to Tottenham before the international break which meant he had to pull out of playing for the Republic of Ireland.

Long-term absentees Callum Wilson and Tyrone Mings (both knee) have both rejoined training but Mings has suffered a setback, having undergone minor surgery to remove staples from his knee. Cherries manager Eddie Howe does not now believe he will play again this season.

De Bruyne (knee) and Nasri (thigh) both return for City after lengthy lay-offs to bolster a side for whom the latest casualty is midfielder Toure (knee).

Goalkeeper Joe Hart (calf), captain Vincent Kompany (calf), midfielder Fabian Delph (Achilles) and forward Raheem Sterling (groin) are the other absentees.

Centre-back Martin Demichelis remains available despite facing a Football Association charge over alleged betting offences.

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Opta stats

Bournemouth and City have played seven times in the league with the Citizens winning five and losing none.

Bournemouth have failed to score in all three previous competitive games in which they've hosted Manchester City.

Manuel Pellegrini's side have scored just six goals in their last 10 Premier League away games.

Glenn Murray has scored in both of his last two Premier League games against Man City.

The Cherries' goal came from their only shot on target when they lost 1-5 to City back in October.

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Bournemouth have netted more goals in the opening 15 minutes of matches than any other team (eight).

City have scored 11 goals from outside the penalty area this season, more long range goals than any other Premier League side.

Manuel Pellegrini's side have failed to score in three of their last four Premier League matches. The last time they failed to score in three Premier League games in a row was March 2008.

Benik Afobe has scored four goals from just five shots on target in the Premier League.

Only Leicester (37) and Spurs (36) have earned more points than Bournemouth (28) since December 1.

Merson's prediction

This should be a good game. Bournemouth were well beaten at Tottenham last time out but have been doing well otherwise recently. Man City have some hard games coming up and are fighting for their lives to get in the top four now. One minute they are trying to win the league, now they are fighting for the top four.

It's a hard game for City and I don't think they will make the top four at the end of the season. I worry about them, what a nightmare it would be if Pep Guardiola comes and they are not in the Champions League.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet's odds: 5/1)

Betting

Manchester City are marginally odds-on for the victory at 19/20 with Sky Bet as Bournemouth are considered 14/5 outsiders while the draw is priced at 5/2. Sergio Aguero heads the first goalscorer betting at 7/2, while Bournemouth's leading contenders in the market, Benik Afobe and Josh King, are 7/1 apiece.