Manchester City vs AFC Bournemouth Predictions

• Both teams have new managers in charge
• Both teams have scored in each of the last five meetings
• Man City won 14 of their 19 home league games last season

New eras begin for City and Cherries

Manchester City open the Premier League season with a home game against Bournemouth on Sunday as two new managers face off.

Enzo Maresca has replaced long-serving City boss Pep Guardiola but his reign got off to a disappointing start last season as he saw his side well beaten in a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield. That should have given the Italian some food for thought ahead of the season opener.

Marco Rose is in the Bournemouth hot seat following Andoni Iraola’s move to Liverpool. Rose had overseen a solid pre-season until their unbeaten run was ended by Mainz in their final summer assignment.

Back both teams to score at the Etihad

City are understandably short-price favourites to win but at a similar price backing both teams to score looks the better angle. The hosts should win, but they were poor against the Gunners last weekend so can’t be backed with full confidence.

Both teams scoring has been a regular feature in this fixture with goals at both ends in each of the last five head-to-head clashes. It may also take both sides a little while to settle under their respective new managers and that could lead to an open game.

The Cherries scored and conceded in all of their pre-season games under Rose and City also conceded in all of their summer games, including the Community Shield.

Maresca can open up with a win

City looked flat against Arsenal but we should see an improved display at the weekend and with home advantage they are the more likely winners.

The Cherries ended last season with a 19-game unbeaten run in normal time across all competitions but they may struggle to pick up where they left off following Iraola’s exit.

The Blues won 14 of their 19 home games last term and a 3-1 City win seems a reasonable correct score prediction, as they scored on average a league-high 2.4 goals per game at home last season and scored exactly three goals in their final two friendly games.

Erling Haaland is the obvious choice for an anytime effort but at a bigger price Phil Foden stands out. The attacking midfielder started against Arsenal and looks to have been given a clean slate by Maresca after falling out of favour under Guardiola.

Foden had a couple of attempts against Arsenal and managed one shot on target. He will be eager to impress this term after struggling last season and he can get his campaign off to a perfect start with a goal against Bournemouth.

Manchester City vs Bournemouth Bet Builder Tips

• Jeremy Doku to be fouled 2+ times: Doku was fouled exactly twice per game in the Premier League last season
• Rayan 1+ shots on target: Rayan scored five goals in 15 games for Bournemouth and averaged 1.9 shots per game
• Antonio Silva to be shown a card: Cherries summer buy Antonio Silva was booked six times for Benfica in Portugal’s top flight last season