Bournemouth vs Manchester City preview: Out of form City hanging on to fourth

A look ahead to the Premier League fixture at Dean Court

(Getty)

It’s a big game for…

Martin Demichelis: Man City’s Argentine defender has been charged by the FA with betting offences this week and it is unclear whether that will have any bearing on his selection this weekend.

With Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Otamendi both injured City will not only be hoping Demichelis will be available for the run in but they will also need his performances to improve greatly. The defender’s form has been a major contributing factor to a slump that has seen Man City slump to 4th place and embroiled in a dogfight for the final Champions League place.

Best stat…

0: Bournemouth have never beaten Man City in a league fixture. City have won five and drawn two of their seven meetings.

Remember when…

A Raheem Sterling hat-trick helped City to a comfortable 5-1 win over the Cherries in September

Player to watch…

Josh King: Bournemouth’s Norwegian winger has been in fine form of late, scoring 2 in his last 3 games and turning in some excellent performances to help the Cherries propel themselves clear of the relegation zone.

Given Man City’s defensive issues and lack of pace at the back, King will fancy his chances of adding to his recent goal glut this weekend.

Past three-meetings…

Man City 5 (Sterling 3, Bony 2) Bournemouth 1 (Murray), Premier League, October 2015

Bournemouth 0 Man City 0, Division 2 (3rd tier), February 1999

Man City 2 (Allsopp, Dickov) Bournemouth 1 (Fletcher), Division 2 (3rd tier), September 2014

Form guide…

Bournemouth: LDWWWL

Man City: DLWDDL

Vital information…

KICK-OFF TIME: 15:00