Manchester City vs. Bournemouth Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 20 May 2025 - bettingexpert
As the Premier League season nears its end, Manchester City hosts Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium on 20 May 2025 at 20:00. Positioned 6th with 65 points, Pep Guardiola’s City side has endured a turbulent season, including a recent FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace. This match is crucial for securing European competition next season.
Bournemouth, sitting 11th with 53 points, also aims to finish strong. Their confidence, stemming from recent results and standout players like Ilya Zabarnyi, who has attracted interest from City, bolsters their chances.
The unpredictable nature of City’s current form suggests an intriguing contest, with the possibility of Bournemouth pulling off an upset strongly supported in our match tips. Referee Thomas Bramall will oversee what promises to be a compelling game at the Etihad.
Manchester City vs Bournemouth Prediction & Betting Tip
Taking into consideration Manchester City’s recent vulnerabilities and Bournemouth’s strong performances, I’m tipping Bournemouth to win tonight’s encounter. With odds stacked at 5.73, this could be a lucrative bet given their form and Manchester City’s struggles.
| Manchester City vs Bournemouth Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting tip | Odds |
| Bournemouth to Win | 5.73 |
- Bournemouth has shown resilience, with a strong away record (83% of matches).
- Manchester City’s recent form has been inconsistent, making them prone to upsets.
- Bournemouth’s confidence is high from recent solid results against top teams.
Manchester City vs Bournemouth Odds
The odds for this Premier League clash favor Manchester City, the home team, who are looking to bounce back after a string of disappointing results.
| Manchester City vs Bournemouth Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| Manchester City | 1.51 |
| Draw | 4.57 |
| Bournemouth | 5.73 |
With a home win for Manchester City slated at 1.51, punters may find better value in betting on Bournemouth to pull off an upset with odds at 5.73. The potential for a draw is also considered a distant possibility with odds at 4.57. These odds are a reflection of Bournemouth’s solid away form and Manchester City’s recent vulnerabilities, making for an interesting betting landscape.
Manchester City Team Analysis
Manchester City Recent Performance
Recent Form: LDWWW
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal Palace | Manchester City | 2025-05-17 | FA Cup | 1-0 (Loss) |
| Southampton | Manchester City | 2025-05-10 | Premier League | 0-0 (Draw) |
| Manchester City | Wolverhampton | 2025-05-02 | Premier League | 1-0 (Win) |
| Nottingham Forest | Manchester City | 2025-04-27 | FA Cup | 0-2 (Win) |
| Manchester City | Aston Villa | 2025-04-22 | Premier League | 2-1 (Win) |
Manchester City’s recent performances have been a mixed bag. They’ve secured three wins in their last five matches, but a recent loss in the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace was a major disappointment. Despite averaging just 1 goal per game, they’ve maintained a fairly solid defense, keeping 3 clean sheets in their last 5 matches. With 65 points, City is currently 6th in the Premier League standings, needing wins to secure a Champions League spot next season.
Key players like Erling Haaland, who has netted 21 goals this season, are still vital to City’s attack despite current vulnerabilities. The team will need to rely on both their defensive solidity and creative outlets to bounce back in their remaining games.
Manchester City Key Players
Manchester City will be relying heavily on their star striker Erling Haaland, who has already netted 21 goals this season. Expect Haaland to be a constant threat to Bournemouth’s defence, especially with Bournemouth’s Ilya Zabarnyi being a standout defender. Look out for key individual battles between Haaland and Zabarnyi, which could be decisive.
Kevin De Bruyne, even with his contract nearing its end, remains a crucial playmaker in midfield, providing creativity and vision. Alongside De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Jeremy Doku will also play essential roles in constructing City’s attacks.
Expected lineup for Manchester City:
- Goalkeeper: Ederson
- Defenders: Rico Lewis, Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias, Nico O’Reilly
- Midfielders: Bernardo Silva, Mateo Kovacic, Kevin De Bruyne
- Attackers: Savinho, Omar Marmoush, Jeremy Doku
Keep an eye on these players to make significant impacts during the match.
Manchester City Suspensions & Injuries
Manchester City has a few notable injuries that might impact their performance against Bournemouth:
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Rodri | Cruciate ligament injury | Late May 2025 |
| John Stones | Thigh injury | Late May 2025 |
| Nathan Aké | Knee surgery | Doubtful |
| Oscar Bobb | Lack of fitness | Doubtful |
These injuries could prove problematic for Pep Guardiola, especially with Rodri and John Stones being pivotal defensive players. Their absence might force Guardiola to make tactical adjustments and rely more on younger or less experienced squad members.
This could be a good opportunity for Bournemouth to exploit any defensive vulnerabilities in City’s lineup.
Manchester City Tactics and Formation
Manchester City Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Omar Marmoush
- Midfield Trio: Bernardo Silva, Mateo Kovačić, Kevin De Bruyne
- Defensive Strength: Three clean sheets in the last five games
- Notable Strategy: Fluid possession-based play with a focus on controlling the midfield.
With Pep Guardiola at the helm, Manchester City will likely employ their tried-and-tested 4-2-3-1 formation. The team will rely on Omar Marmoush up front, supported by the creative prowess of Kevin De Bruyne. Expect Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovačić to control the midfield, shielding the defense while enabling quick transitions. Their recent record of three clean sheets in five games indicates a solid defensive setup, although the absence of key players like Rodri and John Stones could pose some challenges.
City will aim to dominate possession and exploit spaces left by Bournemouth, particularly focusing on maintaining pressure between the 61-75-minute interval where they have historically been most effective.
Bournemouth Team Analysis
Bournemouth Recent Performance
Recent Form: LWDDW
Bournemouth have had a mixed bag of results in their last five matches, but they seem to be finding their stride as the season winds down. Here are their last five results:
| Home Team | Away Team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bournemouth | Aston Villa | 2025-05-10 | Premier League | 0-1 (Loss) |
| Arsenal | Bournemouth | 2025-05-03 | Premier League | 1-2 (Win) |
| Bournemouth | Manchester United | 2025-04-27 | Premier League | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Crystal Palace | Bournemouth | 2025-04-19 | Premier League | 0-0 (Draw) |
| Bournemouth | Fulham | 2025-04-14 | Premier League | 1-0 (Win) |
Bournemouth average 0.80 goals scored in their last five games, showcasing their ability to grind out results. Defensively, they’ve managed two clean sheets in this period, underscoring their resilience at the back. The Cherries have secured points against top-tier teams, boosting their confidence ahead of this crucial Premier League fixture against Manchester City. They have also scored in 83% of their away matches this season, making an upset not entirely off the cards.
Bournemouth Key Players
Bournemouth, positioned 11th in the Premier League, have key players who could make a significant impact against Manchester City. Justin Kluivert, their top scorer, has netted 12 goals and is pivotal for their attacking prospects. In midfield, Tyler Adams and Lewis Cook provide stability and will be crucial in both defense and ball distribution.
Here’s Bournemouth’s expected lineup:
- Goalkeeper: Kepa Arrizabalaga
- Defenders: Adam Smith, Ilya Zabarnyi, Dean Donny Huijsen, Milos Kerkez
- Midfielders: Tyler Adams, Lewis Cook, Marcus Tavernier, Justin Kluivert, Antoine Semenyo
- Forward: Evanilson
Key battles to watch include Haaland against Zabarnyi and the dynamic midfield clash between De Bruyne and Kluivert.
Bournemouth Suspensions & Injuries
Bournemouth heads into this match with a few significant injuries that could affect their performance. Here’s the current injury list:
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Enes Ünal | Cruciate ligament | Early October 2025 |
| Luis Sinisterra | Hamstring Injury | Late May 2025 |
| Ryan Christie | Groin Injury | Early August 2025 |
| Dango Ouattara | Knock Injury | Late May 2025 |
| Alex Scott | Broken Jaw | Early July 2025 |
These absences, particularly in the attacking department with Ünal and Sinisterra sidelined, could hinder Bournemouth’s offensive options and depth. The Bournemouth bench will need to step up to compensate for these key injuries as they face a formidable opponent in Manchester City.
Bournemouth Tactics and Formation
Bournemouth’s Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Evanilson
- Creative Hub: Justin Kluivert as the central attacking midfielder
- Defensive Strength: Two clean sheets in the last five games, reflecting a solid back four
- Midfield Shield: Tyler Adams and Lewis Cook provide a sturdy defensive midfield pairing
Bournemouth will likely lean on a counter-attacking strategy, capitalizing on their pace out wide with players like Marcus Tavernier and Antoine Semenyo.
Kluivert’s creative spark in the central area will be pivotal to breaking through Manchester City’s defense.
Expect Bournemouth to maintain a compact shape defensively while looking to exploit any gaps left by City’s attacking interplay.
Manchester City vs Bournemouth Head-to-Head Statistics
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFC Bournemouth | Manchester City | 2025-03-30 | FA Cup | 1-2 (Win) |
| AFC Bournemouth | Manchester City | 2024-11-02 | Premier League | 2-1 (Loss) |
| AFC Bournemouth | Manchester City | 2024-02-24 | Premier League | 0-1 (Win) |
| Manchester City | AFC Bournemouth | 2023-11-04 | Premier League | 6-1 (Win) |
| AFC Bournemouth | Manchester City | 2023-02-25 | Premier League | 1-4 (Win) |
Manchester City has enjoyed a better record in recent head-to-head matchups, winning four of their last five encounters with Bournemouth. This positive track record might give City a psychological edge. However, Bournemouth’s win in November 2024 shows they can spring a surprise. Given City’s current position and form, this history suggests they will approach this match with high confidence.
Odds accurate as of 18/05/2025 20:01, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.
