Bournemouth v Man City Betting Preview: Back Sterling To Shine

5 min read

12 Sep 2017 0 0

Pre-season title favourites Man City travel to struggling Bournemouth hoping to get their second away win of the Premier League Season

Expect Goals Galore

Raheem Sterling’s 14th #PL goal for @mancity earned his side a draw on Monday night – the first time he’s scored & City haven’t won (W10 D1) pic.twitter.com/0i1Xk9OqmC

— Premier League (@premierleague) August 22, 2017

There have been 16 goals scored in the 4 previous Premier League meetings between these sides – with only one of those being scored by Bournemouth. Eddie Howe and Pep Guardiola are two managers who like their sides to bomb forward and very much embrace the philosophy of ‘if you score 2, we’ll score 3.’ The fact that Bournemouth are yet to pick up a point, or indeed find the net in the league this season, means they’ll be even more keen to open their account for the terms. Everton exposed City’s frailties at the Etihad on Monday and Howe will no doubt have watched the game closely and seen reason for optimism. On top of this, City are unlikely to be short on confidence, taking into account their scoring form on the road. They looked menacing in their 2-0 away success against Brighton on the opening weekend and this should come as no surprise – City netted 43 times in their 19 away games in the league last season, more than any other side.

Pep will have to tinker

PEP: (On RB position) I think @2DaniLuiz is going to play there.

— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 25, 2017

Kyle Walker – the most expensive Englishman of all time – was sent off on his home debut for City on Monday and that will leave his manager Guardiola having to reshuffle his defence. Danilo will likely take Walker’s place. The Brazilian has all the attributes to be a successful Premier League full-back, as he combines pace, strength and a good crossing ability. However, he is also prone to fluff his lines and get caught out positionally. It’s easy to see him showing a few nerves on what will only be his second start in English football, and considering this, a 31/10 price for him to be booked any time seems overpriced.

Streaky Sterling to Star

46': Raheem Sterling replaces Gabriel Jesus. ➡️
83': Raheem Sterling scores. ⚽️

Desired impact made. pic.twitter.com/8xv8Wq2qRW

— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) August 21, 2017

Winger Raheem Sterling came off the bench to rescue a point for City in their last Premier League match with a late equaliser. It was a crisp, assured strike which gave Jordan Pickford no chance. The attacker’s energy and enthusiasm lifted a side which looked lacking in ideas for 70-odd minutes – and it would be no surprise to see Guardiola reward Sterling with a place in his startling line-up as a result. Not least because Sterling loves playing against Bournemouth; he has scored five Premier League goals against the Cherries, including a stunning hat-trick at the Etihad back in October 2015. Sterling is very much a confidence player – 8 of his 10 domestic goals last campaign came in 2 6-game spells of good form. I’m backing him to go on another mini scoring streak this month, and I feel he will carry the momentum from his positive cameo against Everton into this game against the Cherries.