Guardiola must decide whether or not to risk Ilkay Gundogan
Manchester City vs Bournemouth
Competition: F.A. Premier League
Date: 3.00pm, Saturday 17th September 2016
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Referee: Jonathan Moss Assistants:A Halliday, M Perry Fourth Official: J Simpson
Odds: City 2/7, Draw 5/1, Bournemouth 11/1
Tickets: Available via mcfc.co.uk
TV: Match of the Day
Manchester City
Manager: Pep Guardiola
Squad (from): Bravo, Caballero, Gunn, Adarabioyo, Angelino, Clichy, Kolarov, Maffeo, Otamendi, Sagna, Stones, De Bruyne, Delph, Fernando, Fernandinho, Garcia, Gundogan, Navas, Sane, Sterling, Toure, Aguero, Iheanacho, Nolito
Injured: Kompany, Silva
Doubtful: Fernando, Delph
Suspended: Aguero
Form guide: WWWWD
Bournemouth
Manager: Eddie Howe
Squad (from): Federici, Boruc, Ake, Allsop, Cook, Daniels, Francis, Mings, A Smith, B Smith, M Wilson, Arter, Cook, Gosling, Hyndman, Ibe, Pugh, Stanislas, Surman, Wilshere, Afobe, Grabban, King, Mousset, C Wilson
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Form guide: WDLLL
David Silva misses out once again with the minor injury that saw him sit out the midweek win over Borussia Monchengladbach. Vincent Kompany is also unavailable as he continues his rehabilitation, whilst manager Pep Guardiola is yet to decide if Ilkay Gundogan is able to play twice in the space of four days.
Despite City's impressive start to season, recording seven straight victories, Guardiola has refused to get carried away and is determined to keep his players grounded.
“All we can do is work a lot,” said Guardiola. “If they’ve learned quick, it’s because of the quality of the players. It’s only September, we can’t forget that. There’s a long time to go. Every game we can be better, every game there is a chance to improve.
“There are many things we can do better and that’s how it is.
“The trainers, when we win, after one hour, maybe three or four - we are so, so happy but then after we start to worry about the next one.
“We worry about Bournemouth’s strikers, how they're going to play - what they're going to do. I've watched many of their games. They played really, really well against West Ham and against Manchester United - they were in the game right until Mata scored. There are many, many things I like.
“Any team can beat you - I feel that. And I’m going to feel that tomorrow. I allow myself to satisfied for an hour or two hours after a game but the day after you worry about what is going to happen.
“Tomorrow at 3pm, we start again and what we did in the past is the past - there are no guarantees to play good or win the game. That’s why this job is so beautiful.”
City's last home game against Bournemouth ended in a 5-1 victory with Raheem Sterling netting a hat-trick and Wilfried Bony grabbing a brace. Overall City have won 6 of the 8 games played against Bournemouth, with 2 draws and 0 defeats.
Prediction: City 3 Bournemouth 0