New signing has "some niggles" according to Pep Guardiola
Manchester City vs AFC Bournemouth
Competition: F.A. Premier League
Date: 3.00pm, Saturday 14th August 2022
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Referee: David Coote Assistants: N Hopton, T Wood Fourth Official: J Smith VAR: P Bankes
Odds: Man City 1/12, Draw 12/1, Bourneouth 33/1
Tickets: Sold out
TV: Match of the Day
Manchester City
Manager: Pep Guardiola
Squad (from): Ederson, Ortega, Carson, Walker, Stones, Ake, Cancelo, Mbete, Wilson-Esbrand, Gundogan, Grealish, Rodri, De Bruyne, Silva, Foden, Palmer, Haaland, Alvarez, Mahrez, Delap
Injured: Laporte, Phillips
Doubtful: Palmer
Suspended: Mendy
Form guide: WWWLW
Bournemouth
Manager: Scott Parker
Squad (from): Travers, Neto, Dennis, Kelly, Mepham, Smith, Stacey, Hill, Zemura, Cook, Lerma, Christie, Marcondes, Tavernier, Stanislas, Pearson, Billing, Dembele, Solanke, Lowe, Moore, Anthony, Saydee
Injured: Brooks, Rothwell, Fredericks
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Form guide: DWWWW
Kalvin Phillips joins Aymeric Laporte on the sidelines, after Pep Guardiola confirmed that the midfielder has "some niggles" ahead of the visit of Bournemouth. Cole Palmer is also a doubt after suffering a knock to the foot during training this week.
Bournemouth started the season brightly with a 2-0 victory against Aston Villa last weekend, following promotion from the Championship, and Guardiola is expecting a difficult game against the Cherries.
"When they are promoted, the first few games they are so dangerous," he said at Friday's press conference.
"They don't feel the pressure, they still feel good from the previous season, they have nothing to lose.
"After one, two, three months all the teams have problems with injuries. Bad moments, mood in locker room - these things always happen. But in the first few games every team is there pushing to do better."
City won their last home league game against Bournemouth 2-1, with goals from David Silva and Gabriel Jesus. Overall City have won 15 of the 17 games played against the Cherries, with 2 draws and 0 defeats.
Predicted line-up: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Ake, Cancelo, Rodri, Silva, De Bruyne, Grealish, Foden, Haaland
Score prediction: City 3 Bournemouth 0