Bournemouth vs Manchester City. Premier League.
Vitality StadiumAttendance10,419.
Saturday 26 August 2017 11:29, UK
Jermain Defoe is pushing for his first Premier League start for Bournemouth when Manchester City visit the Vitality Stadium on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Premier League.
The striker, who joined this summer on a free transfer from Sunderland, has come on as a substitute in the opening two league matches of the season.
But he played the full 90 minutes in the midweek Carabao Cup win over Birmingham and has also been included in the England squad for the World Cup Qualifiers against Malta and Slovakia.
"I think he's in a better position now for that 90 minutes," said Cherries boss Eddie Howe after the cup victory. "We tested him physically against Birmingham and I think he worked hard. He never stopped running and I was very pleased to see him come through it."
Bournemouth are one of five teams yet to pick up a point this season after defeats to West Brom and Watford.
They have also not fared well against City in the Premier League, losing all four of their meetings with a combined scoreline of 15-1.
City have started their season with four points from six - a 2-0 win at Brighton followed by a 1-1 draw against Everton on Monday Night Football that saw Kyle Walker sent off and City come from behind to claim a point.
"We dropped two points but in general we made good things," says head coach Pep Guardiola. "I am happy with the performances so far this season."
Howe has no fresh injury concerns but captain Simon Francis (hamstring) and midfielder Junior Stanislas (groin) remain sidelined, along with long-term absentee Callum Wilson (knee).
Summer signing Benjamin Mendy has recovered from a thigh injury and could make his Manchester City debut.
Kyle Walker is suspended after being sent off against Everton and Pep Guardiola has said Danilo is likely to replace him at right-back.
Manchester City are one of only two clubs to have won away at Bournemouth in both 2015-16 and 2016-17 in the Premier League (the other being Chelsea).
Bournemouth have faced Manchester City on 10 occasions in league football previously, but haven't won any of these games (W0 D2 L8).
The Cherries have a zero per cent win ratio against five different clubs in league football (Arsenal, Man City, Spurs, Wimbledon & Kidderminster) & Manchester City are the team that they have faced the most without winning (10 games).
Bournemouth have lost both of their opening two Premier League games this season - they haven't lost their first three league games in a campaign since 1994-95 in the third tier.
The Cherries have won just one of their previous nine Premier League matches in the month of August and have picked up just five points from these games (W1 D2 L6).
Manchester City have had a possession figure of at least 55 per cent in all 40 of their Premier League games under Pep Guardiola. Their two games so far this season have seen them post 78.2 per cent (vs Brighton) and 65.3 per cent (vs Everton).
I watched Bournemouth last weekend and I was disappointed and shocked, I think they will struggle this season. People have got used to how Bournemouth play, it's become quite predictable. They aren't great at the back and Watford won at a canter. City, on the other hand, were impressive with 10 men against Everton, fighting back for a draw. I don't see Bournemouth causing them any problems.
PAUL PREDICTS: 0-3 (15/2 with Sky Bet)
Manchester City are Sky Bet's 1/3 favourites for the victory with Bournemouth 15/2 while draw is priced at 17/4. Pep Guardiola's men remain Premier League outright favourites at 6/4 despite dropping points at home to Everton, while the Cherries have shortened to 100/30 for relegation following their goalless start.
Jermain Defoe is considered the hosts' main threat at 10/1 to net first on Saturday, with Sergio Aguero (5/2) closely followed by Gabriel Jesus (3/1) at the head of the betting
