Game Week 10 Predictions: Can Bournemouth rattle the champions?

Bournemouth hosts injury-hit Man City at Vitality Stadium. Can the Cherries extend their home streak, or will Haaland and City keep the top spot.

Bournemouth will aim for the scalp of another top side when Manchester City visits the Vitality Stadium on Saturday, will they succeed? (Photo credit: GOAL)

 Bournemouth vs. Manchester City

Vitality Stadium

4:00pm

Bournemouth will aim to continue their winning streak at home; they defeated Arsenal 2-0 in their previous encounter, despite having a man advantage. The Cherries are willing to accept another significant victory if it becomes available.

Manchester City is struggling with injuries; Pep Guardiola believes his team is in trouble after Savinho and Manuel Akanji both hobbled off in their midweek loss at Tottenham, which prevented them from advancing to the Carabao Cup quarterfinals.

To be honest, the injury situation at Manchester City isn’t admirable, and Pep Guardiola must find creative ways to field a competitive eleven on Saturday when his team travels to the Vitality Stadium to negotiate with Bournemouth.

Speaking of the Cherries, they are facing their own challenges due to Kepa Arrizabalaga's absence for the match, leading to the expectation that Mike Travers will fill in between the sticks. With Neto on loan at Arsenal, Travers will try to stop City from scoring, something no team in the league has been able to achieve this term.

Alex Scott is out of the game with a meniscus injury; Dango Ouattara will not feature as he’s carrying a knock; and Luis Sinisterra will also sit this one out due to a niggling groin problem. Both sides have their problems, but we expect them to give us a show regardless.

Manchester City currently leads the log and is eager to maintain their position at the end of the weekend. Whatever Arsenal does wouldn’t impact the position of the champions, but should Liverpool win later and City doesn’t, the Kops will usurp the Cityzens.

Erling Haaland is expected to lead the line for the champions, and, with only one goal in his last five league games, the Norwegian is primed for another flurry of goals. Bournemouth must keep an eye on him on Saturday.

With Jack Grealish, Jeremy Doku, and Savinho out injured, City will adapt and tweak things to accommodate the players who are available. Phil Foden is settling into his rhythm; it's time for him to reclaim the form that made him everyone's favorite last season.

The defensive shape of the champions will change with Kyle Walker and Akanji injured. Rico Lewis and Nathan Ake will feature, and while John Stones won’t be doing the super-sub thing on this one, he is expected to partner Ruben Dias at the heart of the defense.

Antoine Semenyo, Justin Kluivert, and Evanilson will hope to impress on Saturday; they can hurt the champions if they take their chances, as they will get them at certain points. Manchester City is generous with their chances, but the Cherries must remain vigilant on the other end.

Verdict: Both teams to score