Game Week 37 Predictions: Manchester City must beat Bournemouth

Manchester City host Bournemouth in a crucial Champions League race clash. With high stakes for both sides, expect goals. Verdict: Both teams to score

Manchester City's season is now hinged on their Champions League qualification, will they beat Bournemouth to give themselves a chance? (Photo credit: BBC)

 Manchester City vs. Bournemouth.

Etihad Stadium

8:00pm

Liverpool fell at Brighton on Monday Night Football, but it wasn’t a surprise. The Kops clearly don’t care as much as you thought; they’re the champions, and all they now want to do is to lift their trophy at the weekend and head off on holiday.

Brighton, on the other hand, wants to go to Europe; they were there two seasons ago and could well return if they win their final game away from home and hope things go their way in the Europa Conference League, where a Chelsea win in the final against Betis frees up a space for them.

The Premier League is guaranteed an unprecedented six tickets to the Champions League next season, with Liverpool and Arsenal now guaranteed two of those, with the winner of the Europa League in Bilbao in midweek joining them alongside whoever finishes in third, fourth and fifth in the league, and that’s where the fixture of Tuesday between Bournemouth and Manchester City comes in.

The former champions must be seething after things went south in the FA Cup final on Saturday, leaving Pep Guardiola without a trophy at the end of a season for the first time in his managerial career; he is now fighting for his life to qualify for the Champions League.

Arsenal’s win over Newcastle didn’t only confirm Arsenal’s participation in the Champions League next season; it also helps the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest to stay in the race against the Geordies, although it is still in Newcastle’s hands.

The race for Champions League qualification goes down to the wire, down to the final day of the season, and it can indeed swing anywhere, but Manchester City cannot afford to drop points against Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.

Four points from the remaining two games could be enough for Manchester City to finish within the top five due to their favourable goal difference, but they won’t take chances; they must beat the Cherries and then Fulham on the final day.

Here’s where it gets hectic for Manchester City; Bournemouth would move right behind Brighton if they beat Manchester City on Tuesday, leaving them with a great chance of qualifying for Europe for the first time in their history; they won’t be easy to play against for City.

Erling Haaland has had an indifferent season; he could repay some faith on Tuesday alongside Omar Marmoush, who missed a penalty against Palace in the Cup final, while the mercurial Kevin De Bruyne would also be saying goodbye to the home fans, as it would be his final game in their colours.

Verdict: Both teams to score.