Manchester City return to action after the international break against Bournemouth in the FA Cup.
In a season in which everything that could go wrong has gone wrong, the FA Cup is the only piece of silverware still on the table for Manchester City.
That makes this weekend’s quarter-final tie against Bournemouth one of the most important games in the campaign if Pep Guardiola wishes to save any sort of face from a disastrous year.
However, it’ll be far from easy against Adoni Iraola’s talented Cherries, who defeated City 2-1 when they met in the Premier League in November.
Here is everything you need to know about the fixture.
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Bournemouth vs Manchester City kick-off
Manchester City take on Bournemouth in the FA Cup on Sunday, March 30, with kick-off coming at 4:30 pm at the Vitality Stadium.
How to watch Bournemouth vs Manchester City for free
Unsurprisingly for such a massive FA Cup tie, the game will be broadcast in the UK and there are multiple ways to watch.
TV channel
ITV have the rights to the game and will be televising it on ITV 1. Coverage gets underway from 3:45 pm.
Bournemouth vs Man City live stream
The streaming home of ITV is ITVX and you can live stream Bournemouth vs City on their website or through the ITV app on smartphones and tablets. You do need to make an account, though.
Additionally, if you are a Sky customer, ITV 1 can be watched through their streaming platform, Sky Go.
Bournemouth vs Man City team news
Guardiola could welcome goalkeeper Ederson back to the side after he missed the draw with Brighton last time out.
The manager said in the pre-match press conference: “Some of [the players] returned a little more tired and need recovery.
“[Ederson] trained the last two days.”
Rodri, John Stones, Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake and Oscar Bobb all remain sidelined.
The Cherries will be without Enes Unal, Adam Smith and Luis Sinisterra, while Julian Araujo and Marcos Senesi are doubts.
Referee and officials
- Referee: Craig Pawson
- Assistant referees: Scott Ledger and Craig Taylor
- Fourth official: Darren Bond
- VAR: Neil Davies
- Assistant VAR: Constantine Hatzidakis
- Support VAR: Peter Bankes
Prediction
City’s form continues to be completely erratic and impossible to predict from match to match.
Sunday’s game is crucial and a defeat means they will end the season without a trophy for the first time in eight years, so they will be desperate to advance.
But so will Bournemouth, who will look across an unusually weak field in the final eight and believe they’ll have a real chance of winning the trophy should they get past the Blues.
However, some key absences may prove costly.
Prediction: Bournemouth 1-2 Man City.
