Manchester City will be hopeful for a return to winning ways on Saturday as they travel to the south coast to take on AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League's late kick-off.
The Blues dropped to a draw from a winning position for the second time in two matches on Wednesday night as their first leg round of 16 Champions League tie with RB Leipzig ended in a 1-1 draw. Both games saw City dominate for large periods but neither Nottingham Forest nor their midweek opponents could be put away.
City will need to avoid this misfortune again at the weekend as they bid to close the gap to Premier League leaders Arsenal. Early team news from Pep Guardiola suggested that Kevin De Bruyne could be fit enough to return but the fixture comes too soon for Aymeric Laporte and John Stones.
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With that in mind, here is how MEN Sport think City should line-up to face the Cherries this weekend.
Goalkeeper - Ederson
Ederson has had his fair share of critics in recent matches and after appearing to be partially at fault against RB Leipzig for their equaliser, those with a bone to pick with the Brazilian will not have quietened down. However, Guardiola looks unlikely to drop him at this stage so you would imagine, if fit, he will start.
Defenders - Kyle Walker, Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake
Guardiola told the media before the midweek Champions League clash that he always plays with a back four, therefore we have taken him at his word and selected this defensive line. Walker did play more advanced against the German side on Wednesday and it would not be a surprise if he does so again at Bournemouth.
Ake impressed again at left-back and would be welcomed in the City back line should he be selected. With Laporte and Stones injured, Akanji and Dias should continue.
Midfielders - Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva
De Bruyne has proven on countless occasions that he should be undroppable when fit. His ability to create chances is second to none and with Guardiola hinting that the Belgian is fit again, there should be no doubt that he returns to the side.
Rodri and Bernardo have also been impressive recently and it feels unlikely that they would not feature on the south coast.
Forwards - Riyad Mahrez, Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish
For a long time this would have been unthinkable but, out of the front three, Haaland is the player most likely not to feature should Guardiola choose to go a different way. City's boss agreed that the 22-year-old should have done more at Leipzig but MEN Sport is confident he will still retain his place.
Mahrez and Grealish are both in great form and have made their respective positions their own in recent matches. The duo linked up well for the goal in midweek and will be hoping for much of the same this Saturday.
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