Manchester City need to put the disappointment of the FA Cup behind them straight away. Pep Guardiola’s side have a fight on their hands to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
They are outside the top five at present, but this is their game in hand. City control their own fate, but Bournemouth are not the easiest side to play against.
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Man City vs Bournemouth odds
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Man City vs Bournemouth predictions
For the first time since Pep Guardiola’s debut season as the club’s manager, Manchester City will end 2024/25 without a trophy.
Their last hope was the FA Cup, which they were favourites to win after qualifying for the final alongside Crystal Palace. Instead, the underdogs were triumphant at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
Ebere Eze scored the only goal of the game with Palace’s first meaningful attack. Dean Henderson, who could have been sent off for handling the ball outside the area, then saved a penalty from Omar Marmoush.
Henderson turned in an inspired performance throughout the final, while his outfield colleagues produced a hugely impressive display of defensive organisation.
City had the chances to at least force extra time, but they failed to introduce the ball to the net. This was another indication of how far Guardiola’s team have fallen from their peak.
It was hard to begrudge Palace their victory, as the south Londoners won a major trophy for the first time in their 120-year history. For City it was a case of deja vu, having also lost last season’s FA Cup showpiece to Manchester United.
At least they could console themselves with the Premier League title last term. This time around, City have a fight on their hands to even qualify for the Champions League, their title hopes having essentially ended before the turn of the year.
City sit sixth in the standings ahead of this rearranged fixture against Bournemouth. They are a point behind Newcastle United, Chelsea and Aston Villa above them.
City at least have their fate in their own hands. Victories over Bournemouth on Tuesday and Fulham on Sunday would get Guardiola’s team into the Champions League regardless of what happens elsewhere.
On the other hand, a slip-up here or at the weekend would leave City vulnerable to finishing outside the top five.
“If we are not in the Champions League, it’s because we don’t deserve it. And we’ll play the Europa League. So it is what it is,” Guardiola said ahead of Bournemouth’s visit to the Etihad Stadium.
“I’m thinking we’re going to qualify. My thought is I’m going to think of that. And if I think that, I think that. And I think we need two victories or four points to qualify. That is my target.”
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Man City vs Bournemouth betting tips
Will there be a twist in the tale when Manchester City host Bournemouth on Tuesday?
Draw/Manchester City half-time/full-time
Crystal Palace’s victory in the FA Cup final was a blow to teams like Bournemouth, with eighth place now unlikely to be a European qualification berth.
The only way that eighth will be enough for the Conference League from here is if Chelsea win this year’s edition of that tournament and finish sixth or seventh in the league.
While that remains a possibility, Bournemouth must push as hard as they can to finish eighth. They currently are two points behind that position.
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Bournemouth have the fourth-best away record in the division and Manchester City could suffer a hangover from that Wembley disappointment.
But while there is a good chance the score will be level at the break, City should prove too strong in the end.
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Both teams to score
Manchester City have looked vulnerable to fast transitions ever since Rodri got injured in September. Crystal Palace exploited that weakness at the weekend.
Bournemouth are also adept at breaking forward quickly, so they should have some joy on the counter-attack on Tuesday.
Only Liverpool have scored more goals on their travels than the Cherries, so City will do well to keep a clean sheet in this one.
At the same time, it is difficult to see Bournemouth shutting Guardiola’s team out on their own turf.
Palace may have done so in the FA Cup final, but they shipped five goals on their last visit to the Etihad. City are a different beast in front of their own supporters.
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Kevin De Bruyne to score anytime
Kevin De Bruyne will play his last home game for Manchester City on Tuesday.
The Belgium international has been one of City’s best players since he became a regular starter again a few weeks back.
Even though he is now past his best, De Bruyne is still the man City often look to for inspiration in the final third.
The attacking midfielder is determined to show he can still make a difference at the highest level despite his impending exit from City.
De Bruyne is ready to make an impact against Bournemouth.
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📺 How to watch Manchester City vs Bournemouth
- Location: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England.
- Date and time: Tuesday 20th May, 8pm.
- How to watch: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.
Read more about the 2024/25 football season
About the author
Greg Lea
Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.
Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball
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