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Bournemouth tests the defending champions Manchester City on August 25, 2019, at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth.
Bournemouth
Bournemouth ended the last term in 14th place to earn a fifth consecutive appearance in the English Premier League. They have earned a reputation as one of the regulars in the top flight just one decade after they went under administration. At about this same time in 2008, Bournemouth was preparing to play in League Two. But after Eddie Howe took over that season, he led the Cherries to promotion and eventually back to the Premier League. But while they’ve stayed in the Premier League, they have remained mediocre at best. Last season was no different despite heavy spending during the summer. They started well but could not play consistent football all season long. They haven’t spent as much this time around, with Howe electing to do the best with whatever he currently has.
These are the players for Bournemouth as of July 21, 2019:
- Goalkeepers: Artur Boruc, Asmir Begovic, Mark Travers
- Defenders: Simon Francis (captain), Steve Cook (3rd captain), Nathan Ake, Charlie Daniels, Adam Smith, Jack Stacey, Diego Rico, Jack Simpson, Lloyd Kelly, Chris Mepham
- Midfielders: Dan Gosling (4th captain), Andrew Surman (vice-captain), Jefferson Lerma, Jordon Ibe, Lewis Cook, Junior Stanislas, David Brooks, Ryan Fraser, Kyle Taylor, Matt Butcher, Alex Dobre, Harry Arter
- Forwards: Joshua King, Dominic Solanke, Callum Wilson, Sam Surridge
Manchester City
Manchester City needs no introduction. They are the dominant Premier League team today, having won three out of the last six seasons of the EPL, including back to back titles in 2018 and 2019. These successes have come under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola, who is considered as the best football manager in the world. Guardiola took over from Manuel Pellegrini in 2016 and City has burst into success. During the last term, Manchester City also won the EFL Cup and FA Cup to complete an unprecedented domestic treble. With the team at the peak of its powers and Guardiola at the helm, Manchester City is among the soccer betting favorites to win the Premier League title again this term.
These are the players on Manchester City’s most recent roster dated July 16, 2019:
1 GK Claudio Bravo, 2 DF Kyle Walker, 3 DF Danilo, 5 DF John Stones, 7 FW Raheem Sterling, 8 Ilkay Gundogan, 9 FW Gabriel Jesus, 10 FW Sergio Aguero, 11 MF Oleksandr Zinchenko, 12 DF Angelino, 14 DF Aymeric Laporte, 15 DF Eliaquim Mangala, 16 MF Rodri, 17 MF Kevin De Bruyne, 19 MF Leroy Sane, 20 MF Bernardo Silva, 21 MF David Silva, 22 DF Benjamin Mendy, 25 MF Fernandinho, 25 MF Riyad Mahrez, 30 DF Nicolas Otamendi, 31 GK Ederson, 32 GK Daniel Grimshaw, 47 Phil Foden
Who Wins?
Callum Wilson was one of the best English strikers in the Premier League last season. The 27-year-old missed a total of 8 games but still managed to score a total of 14 goals while also dishing off 9 assists to his teammates. Together with Josh King, Wilson gives Bournemouth an aggressive attacking style that will always keep them in any game with plenty of opportunities to score.
Eddie Howe will rely on his usual cast who have been with the team since their League One and Championship days. Players like Charlie Daniels, Steve Cook, and Simon Francis have spent seven years with the club while Wilson and some stars are remnants from the Championship winning season. This is a tightly-knit group which knows how to play together and does so well.
As for Manchester City, well for as long as Pep Guardiola is there, they will always be the favorites. Guardiola doesn’t just have the luxury of having a very talented squad, he is the best in making use of every one of them. The return of De Bruyne is a massive boost. Keep an eye on Foden and Eric Garcia to make valuable contributions with more time this season.
New addition Rodri from Atletico Madrid can share the work at midfield with Fernandinho and the goals should come smoothly with their talented Forward. Sergio Aguero had 21 goals in the last season and Raheem Sterling had 17. I’m more excited about how Sterling improves again next season. He’s the man to watch for City. Sure, letting Kompany leave with Laporte injured looked questionable but you have to trust Guardiola and his system. I’m picking Manchester City to beat Bournemouth on 8/25/19. Prediction: Manchester City
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