Saturday late afternoon sees Manchester City travel to the South Coast to face Bournemouth, who sit one point above the relegation zone. After a very slow start following the World Cup, losing six consecutively, the home side have lost just one of their last four games and have been much tighter at the back – conceding just three goals in that time. They come into this one on the back of an important 1-0 victory at Wolves. The visitors are embroiled in a title race and are two points behind Arsenal having played a game more after they faltered last week as they drew 1-1 at Nottingham Forest. They also had a trip to Germany in midweek to face RB Leipzig, who they surrendered a 1-0 lead to and go into the second leg at the Etihad all square.

Bournemouth started their return to the Premier League in fine fashion, losing just three of their first ten. However, since then they have lost nine of their last thirteen, with just two wins – Everton and Wolves last week. They sit in 17th and whilst they are just five points from 12th, they are also just three points from Southampton at the foot of the table. However, they now play a side who they have lost the last 12 head to heads – all within the last eight years – conceding 36 goals in those matches and scoring just six. The Cherries are a side struggling for goals. They have scored just three against Premier League opposition in nine matches since the World Cup break. They also have Arsenal and Liverpool in the next two so the fixture list for Gary O’Neill doesn’t get easier. They do, however, have injuries. Lewis Cook and David Brooks are both out and Lloyd Kelly, Jordan Zemura, Junior Stanislas and Illia Zabarnyi are doubts ahead of this one. Jack Stephens and Dominic Solanke should keep their places ahead of Welsh duo Chris Mepham and Kieffer Moore respectively.

Manchester City are in a precarious position and could be heading for a first trophyless season since 2016/17. Whilst they remain in the FA Cup and face off with Bristol City soon, and are still in the Champions League round of 16, they have not looked so comfortable in the Premier League – which they have won four of the last five editions of. They are two points behind Arsenal (five if the Gunners win their game in hand) with neighbours Manchester United just three points behind and they have looked very inconsistent on the road – winning just one of their last six in all competitions, surrendering a lead in three of those games. They will be without John Stones once again, but should be able to welcome back Kevin de Bruyne and Aymeric Laporte – who missed out in midweek with illness. Guardiola has been tactically fluid in recent weeks and whilst he played his traditional four-man defence in midweek, he has played Bernardo Silva as a makeshift wing back at times in recent weeks – opting for a back five. Whilst Haaland and Grealish should start up front, Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez will battle for the other spot in the front three.