After a series of away matches, Manchester City returns to the Premier League and welcomes Bournemouth to the Etihad Stadium. Pep Guardiola’s team comes off victories over Villarreal in the Champions League and Swansea in the League Cup, but also an unexpected defeat to Aston Villa.
Bournemouth arrives in excellent form. The visitors are two points ahead of City in the standings and hold second place, four points behind leaders Arsenal. An attractive match is expected between two teams known for their attacking football.
One of the main storylines is the return of Rodrigo Hernandez to the lineup. The Spanish midfielder is recovering from a muscle injury and, although likely to start on the bench, his presence is a major boost for the team. Erling Haaland is also ready to play after suffering a minor knock last week.
The composition of the midfield looks intriguing. Nico Gonzalez has earned a regular starting spot with his strong performances, and alongside him could appear Rayan Cherki, who impressed against Swansea with a goal and an assist. Bernardo Silva and Tijjani Reijnders are competing for the third position, while Phil Foden could provide a strong option from the bench.
Another closely watched duel will be between Matheus Nunes and Antoine Semenyo. The Ghanaian winger from Bournemouth ranks among the best players in the league, and City’s defense will need to stay fully focused. Nunes will be tasked with neutralizing his pace and strength on the opponent’s left side.
According to Bournemouth coach Andoni Iraola, Guardiola’s tactics have evolved, with City now relying more on quick transitions into attack. This approach suits players such as Haaland, Doku, and Marmoush, who can exploit open spaces after winning possession.
At home, however, Manchester City traditionally dominates. Since 2015, they have won all league matches against Bournemouth at the Etihad, often by a wide margin. They remain strong favorites and are expected to continue their winning streak.
Sunday’s match will therefore offer not only a clash of two contrasting football philosophies but also a test of the defending champion’s resilience against one of the season’s surprise teams.
