Chris Sutton has weighed in on Manchester City’s injury crisis and performance levels ahead of the champions’ trip to Bournemouth on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola takes his side to the south coast trying to deal with a lengthy injury list, with summer signing Savinho and defender Manuel Akanji the latest doubts following the midweek defeat to Tottenham in the Carabao Cup last-16.
They join Jack Grealish, Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker and Jeremy Doku in the treatment room, while Oscar Bobb and Rodri remain long-term absentees.
Guardiola played it safe against Spurs, declining to bring Erling Haaland off the bench, with Saturday’s trip to Bournemouth followed by a Champions League away day at Sporting before Man City visit Brighton in the Premier League next weekend.
Chris Sutton predicts Bournemouth vs Man City
City will begin the weekend at the top of the table, a point ahead of rivals Liverpool and remain undefeated in the league despite their injury issues, something that pundit Chris Sutton is factoring in with his prediction for the trip to Dean Court.
“This is another hard one to call. Manchester City’s performances just have not been there of late, but they are still finding a way to beat teams every week and I am not sure what is going to be different this time,” he told the BBC.
“I don’t think this is going to be easy for City, who are missing a few players though injury, but you have to remember how good they are at getting over the line in games like this.
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“So, although I am backing Bournemouth to score, I still expect City to edge this one. Southampton, Wolves and Fulham have all run the champions close recently, and all of them still lost. It could be the same story for the Cherries, too.
“They are likely to be a lot more ambitious than Saints were at the Etihad Stadium, and that could suit City. Bournemouth are a team who get plenty of shots off and we saw what they did to Arsenal a couple of weeks ago, but that will leave more space for Pep Guardiola’s side.”
Sutton’s prediction: Bournemouth 1-2 Manchester City
Bournemouth high on confidence ahead of Man City visit
Andoni Iraola’s men sit 11th in the Premier League table, but host Guardiola’s men on the back of dramatic late draw at Aston Villa and a win over Arsenal in their last home game.
Club record signing Evanilson appears to be settling in and in Antoine Semenyo they have a danger man that will look to prey on City’s injury problems.
Guardiola’s side three away games in a week with a threadbare squad, so the manager will know this week is all about results, rather than performances and would no doubt welcome the narrow win that Sutton is predicting.
