Struggling Bournemouth host top four contenders Manchester City on Monday (Watch live, 3 p.m. ET on NBCSN and online via NBCSports.com) with Eddie Howe’s upstarts hoping to cause an upset against in-form City.
Pep Guardiola has caused quite the stir by starting Brazilian teenager Gabriel Jesus over goal-machine Sergio Aguero in recent weeks, but it’s working as a win for City at Bournemouth will close the gap on PL leaders Chelsea to eight points.
As for the Cherries they’re struggling defensively and have conceded 15 goals in their last five PL games, all of which they have failed to win. This is a classic Sophomore slump. It doesn’t help that Bournemouth’s open expansive style has left them very vulnerable against City in the past with Howe’s young side losing all three of their previous PL encounters against the Sky Blues, conceding 13 goals in the process.
In team news Bournemouth make three changes Adam Smith, Charlie Daniels and Jordon Ibe come in for Tyrone Mings, Dan Gosling and Marc Pugh.
Man City make one change with the Bacary Sagna in for Gael Clichy as City look to set up in a 4-1-4-1 formation with Fernandinho at right back, according to their official website. Pep always kees everyone guessing...
LINEUPS
Bournemouth: Boruc, A Smith, Francis, Cook, Daniels, Ibe, Arter, Surman, Fraser, Wilshere, King. Subs: Allsop, Mings, B Smith, Gosling, Stanislas, Pugh, Afobe
Manchester City: Caballero, Sagna, Sterling, Kolarov, De Bruyne, Sane, Silva, Stones, Fernandinho, G Jesus, Toure Subs: Bravo, Kompany, Fernando, Nolito, Aguero, Delph, Otamendi